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From mind to metal
By Priyanwada Ranawaka
"I cannot make another of whatever I create, no matter how hard I try," says this veteran craftsman as he walks me down the corridor leading to the interior of his house in Kalutara, where one finds art in abundance.

Kalakeerthi Wimal W. Surendra, 67, is the only craftsman in the country to make models, carvings, statues and murals that are three-dimensional with the use of sheet metal. Being perhaps the first to discover this method, over the years, this gifted artist has made innumerable works of art.

Nobody has to ask him why he has not so far held even a single exhibition, simply because his works of art are everywhere. Surendra is the man behind the silver door at the Parliament which has a prologue to the constitution engraved on it in all three languages, the silver flags decorating the inside of the Parliament as well as the ones that are carried during parades and the perahera in Kandy.

"This was the first breakthrough in my career," he says remembering how he was given the task of coming up with a design overnight for the carvings of the doorway to the Parliament.

In 1988, he designed the statue of the steel lion, weighing more than two tons. This is carried during the parade on Independence Day. His other noteworthy creations include the mural in steel depicting the evolution of coins in Sri Lanka (seen at the Bank of Ceylon) and another with embossed human figures, which are over 32 metres in length and 12 metres in height.

"I've been interested in all forms of art ever since I was a child," he says recollecting how he used to watch artists at work in the village temple, and wait after the occasional 'thovila' or 'piritha' to admire the creative decorations that are discarded after the ceremonies. His whole family was interested in art, he says and his father had been good at woodcarving. "I tried my hand at wood carving and soon picked up the skill."

Recognizing his talent, a relative offered to help him enter the College of Fine Arts in Colombo where he learned everything he had to know about art and sculpture. "But I did not want to do what every other artist did," he says, explaining how he came up with this new technique. " I used my knowledge of both sculpture and drawing to invent this new method of metal sculpture.”

In this commercialised world, it comes as a shock to find that his works are not for sale, only made on order. "I don't sell my work, as I don't believe in the concept of putting a price tag to a work of art, in the creation of which the artist gives in his whole self." But when it comes to special events where foreign guests and ambassadors have to be honoured with an item that gives a picture of 'true Sri Lankanness' " it is Surendra who is called upon.

He was honoured with a special President's Award in 1988 and 1994 in recognition of his work and was one of two winners of the 'Swarna Thilake Award', the other being Amaradeva. He has also been nominated for the Magsaysay award in the Philippines.

Of the people who inspired him he says that Geoffrey Bawa was one who gave him opportunity after opportunity to display his proficiency. “A.S. Jayawardene, Governor of the Central Bank too helped me a lot.”

"In creating these intricate designs, the most indispensable tools are the hands and a creative brain," he explains, showing me how rough his hands are as a result of having to work extensively with metal. He works standing for more than 10 hours at a stretch and has undergone surgery on both feet recently. "Sometimes I work for more than 20 hours a day. Then I hang the creation on the wall and look for faults, and make improvements, " he says, explaining his perfectionist streak.

At his workshop, we see 10 of his students bent over their work. "Everything I learnt at the College of Fine Arts comes into use," he says. First he puts the design on paper, and makes a small model with wood, which he uses as a prototype. After completing the design, he makes another model using a special kind of plaster. It is then, that he takes on the task of creating the work.

Using traditional symbols in abundance, he carves beautifully on almost any piece of metal. Most commonly used are copper and lead. Having studied books and drawings of ancient times, and spent much time in historic places gaining knowledge of the ancient methods of carving, the 'Pun Kalasa', lotus and the Bo leaves figure strongly in his works. He has also experimented with European styles, notably in the steel statue of Christ, which he made for the Pope's visit.

"Many countries have offered me citizenship, but I belong here," says Surendra. "One day I want to make a huge gallery of my works where all can come and view the legacy of a true Sri Lankan craftsman."

His regret is that so far he has not been able to pass on his gift to as many as he would like. "I wish I could train at least five more creative metal sculptors who would carry on my work." He has appealed to many to assist him in establishing a centre of training craftsmen in Colombo, but this has not materialized so far. "It's not the awards that matter to me, but what I can leave behind for the country," he says pensively.

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