Splendour of stones
By Esther Williams
Artist, fabric designer, jewellery designer? Yes, Preethi Hapuwatte is all these or rather has extended her artistic skills to all these areas. At her ninth solo exhibition at the Barefoot Gallery from July 4 - 20, she exhibits her latest paintings and her new line of jewellery.
Inspired by precious stones, the paintings, aptly named Alexandrite, Aquamarine, Feldspar, Jade Trees, Ruby Onyx, Green Onyx and Yellow Sapphire, try to capture the effect of the stones. "I have tried to bring out the texture of stones and the colours that move within them," Preethi explains of her oils on canvas. The bits of fabric she has used in some contribute to that special three-dimensional effect.
In the last few months, Preethi has experimented with jewellery. Her creations are simple geometric forms like designs from an ancient civilization - perhaps Egypt or Iraq.
"The ideas just developed in my mind and I cannot seem to figure out from where," the artist explains. She had visited Iraq and walking through the souq (marketplace), was greatly impressed by the carpets, blue glass, beads and brassware. Museums too, she found, were exciting. "Maybe it was something I saw there that has influenced me," she muses.
Silver pendants studded with semi- precious stones like blue sapphires, white sapphires, topaz, garnets, aquamarine, moonstone, blue lapis and coloured onyx are strung on cords made of Barefoot fabric. Onyx has been used in several creations, mostly for carved figurines. This is because it reflects different shades of colour giving the jewellery an attractive and ethnic effect.
Two jewellers turn out Preethi's designs. She does not change the basic shape of the stone but incorporates an attractive design around it.
During her 30 years at Barefoot she has designed most of their cuddly toys, bags, fabric and wooden items. Looking back at the time there, she feels quite enriched by the opportunities it provided for her to experiment with different styles.
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