Arts
Bringing back life in Batticaloa to canvas
Captivating symbolism and muted tones capturing intricate impressions add import to artist Susiman Nirmalavasan’s newest collection of works that will have its debut in Colombo this week. Having previously exhibited his work in Batticaloa, Jaffna and Kilinochchi, this is his very first solo exhibition in Colombo.
With this exhibition titled ‘Reminiscence’, Susiman offers a glimpse at the impact of living through war and conflict on his development as an artist and how his admiration for the people, places and experiences of his past have culminated in this series examining nostalgia.
New series of work: Capturing nostalgia in muted tones
Sepia backgrounds eliciting thoughts of the past contribute their own kinetic energy, rounding out unique imagery incorporating marine life, elaborate patterns and solemn-faced subjects with evocative gazes. Capitalizing on the most distinctive characteristics of each chosen medium, Susiman seems to create washes of desaturated and complex glazes for a realistic depiction while retaining a fresh, spontaneous quality to his work.
Susiman was born in Batticaloa in a village known as Pankudaveli, a picturesque area with sparkling lagoons, lush forests, dense knotted mangroves and stretches of golden paddy fields. As a young boy, Susiman’s passion for art first showed subtle signs of developing when he and his friends would spend their time decorating the soft sands of their hometown beach with numerous illustrations. More of his early creations would eventually be found adorning the exterior walls of Susiman’s home, all made with natural materials like charcoal, ‘kurumpeddy’ (immature coconut fruits) and ‘maampinchu’ (baby mangoes or tender green mangoes). However, he says the real catalyst was viewing a book of paintings owned by a neighbour who noticed Susiman’s curiosity and happily welcomed him to peruse the book whenever he pleased.
The paintings displayed in the book were creations of his neighbour’s daughter, an artist who had once resided in the same village. “It’s a miracle that I had seen such a book in that village because there weren’t a lot of chances to see art as we get to see now,” says Susiman. Transfixed by the portraits, landscapes and still life images, he was motivated to compile his own book of paintings. Amassing a considerable collection, he proudly displayed the book to his relatives, friends and fellow villagers. This earned him a reputation as a promising young painter in his hometown.
Subsequent to years of practice came the first of many significant moments in his artistic journey. In 2001, while studying for his A’L exams at St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa, 160 of his paintings were selected for a solo exhibition with ‘peace’ as its theme. Facing the devastating reality of the effects of the civil war, prior to leaving Batticaloa with his family, Susiman had become familiar with stories of displacements, arrests and killings occurring nearby. The exhibition garnered significant attention.
Susiman Nirmalavasan
An Art teacher since 2007, Susiman gained his qualification while studying at the National Institute of Education in Jaffna. He used the limited free time he had available by experimenting with different materials as he explains that conventional ones were a rarity. Unable to travel to Colombo due to the conflict, he could not acquire oil paints or watercolours and instead would utilize things like dust, earth, dried fish and clay to bring his creations to life.
Inspiration was never in short supply for Susiman who had long admired leading local artists such as Eswararajah Kularaj and Kamala Vasuki, eager to one day have his name mentioned alongside them.
Befriending feminist artist Kamala Vasuki led to his introduction to the world of activism. Since joining ‘Third Eye’ a local knowledge and skills activist group, Susiman intently pursues activism through his art, producing works highlighting the plight of the marginalized people, the victimized, issues surrounding human rights, and more. He is a co-founder of the group ‘Artists for Non-Violent Living’ with Kamala Vasuki in 2017. The group is exhibiting works against violence across Sri Lanka.
His upcoming solo exhibition, “Reminiscence” will showcase 21 new creations at the Paradise Road Galleries. The series was completed on hard board using a mixed medium of water colours, charcoal and tea dye to achieve a specific colour scheme to hark back to the days of his earliest creations made with charcoal and young mango fruit. Memories of a childhood filled with nature and rural life are showcased and interplay with the cruel and irredeemable effects of war without expressly illustrating war imagery.
Susiman found further inspiration from Biblical stories his father would share with the family. His says he tried to interpret his childhood memories through them instead of replicating works inspired by Christianity.
‘Reminiscence’ will be on at the Paradise Road Galleries, the Gallery Cafe from April 29 to June 2 from 10 a.m. to midnight daily.
