Arts
|
|
|||
|
Ferraris,
giraffes: Wonder of childhood imagination On a table in a corner were helicopters of various sizes made out of papier-mâché. Hot air balloons were hanging from one corner while animals were in another. "We started off with it being on the theme of flying," says art instructress Noeline Fernando. Along the way with dragonflies, hot air balloons and of course helicopters, the theme experienced changes. "Kids really don't keep to a particular theme… so we went back to giraffes and other stuff as well," says Noeline with a hearty laugh. Noeline, a painter herself holds art classes at the Sapumal Foundation. She says all this has been built up through word of mouth. In the past too she has had many exhibitions with her students, the last being two years ago. "I don't usually have regular exhibitions because I believe that children must be given time and space." Her students ranging from ages three to about 15 appear to be having a lot of fun in the class. "The whole idea is to build them up and help them identify with things. I motivate them to see the good side of things," she says. Be it giraffes, lions, sheep or even Ferraris there is a wide range of creative work and vibrant colour being used. "The paintings are all done individually and most of it is spontaneous," Noeline says explaining she doesn't believe in restricting the kids to a certain theme as they paint whatever comes to their minds. "The very essence in which they capture" an exhibition displaying the paintings and creative crafts of the students of Noeline Fernando will be held from September 9 - 12 at the National Art Gallery. Paintings
that probe the mind This forthcoming exhibition will show many aspects of Sarath, primarily his vision to highlight the social issues and weaknesses in our society, in a different way. Unlike in his past exhibitions he has used the tools of satire and irony to reach the inner minds of people. One painting shows the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE holding peace talks on the moon. "People will never understand if we portray the exact situation on canvas. It should be brought out in a more effective way," he says. These are not paintings that are easy on the eye, but Sarath prefers to provoke his audience into deeper scrutiny. Landscape
of words and pictures blend in search of meaning The special feature of this exhibition is that, the paintings are based on 30 poems, composed by two veteran Sinhala poets, Nandana Weerasinghe and Ariyawansa Ranaweera. These Sinhala poems have been translated into English by Tilaka Dharmapriya. The paintings are not meant to be mere illustrations of the poems, as is usually done. Instead the artist has attempted to grasp the subtle inner meanings of the poems and portray them on canvases. The two poets and the artist have certain similarities in their approach to artistic expression. The two poets do not see poetry as an arrangement of the most suitable words, in their most suitable situations. Karunasiri Wijeysinghe is an artist who strives to see the world, through concentration on individual objects. His eye rarely catches the wood, but is focused on the tree. A small neglected object like a solitary rugged boulder, a worn out decayed tree trunk, or an ant hill rising in a desolate landscape, become the metaphors, for his inner observation. Strokes
of a spiritual journey Walter Kulasooriya is celebrating his 10th year as a painter, though he has been using his artistic talents for over 30 years. He first got involved in the batik trade in the vicinity of Koggala. Tourists who saw his talents, had urged him to paint. "Didn't you get any professional training?" I ask him. “Yes I did. I entered Heywood in 1959 and it helped me alot in my career. “People like Stanley Abeysinghe, David Paynter and S. P. Charles were an impetus to my creative work," he says. Walter Kulasooriya will open his Art Gallery -Visiki on September 6 at Wijesinhe Mawatha, Kurunduwaththa, Ahangama. The gallery website is www.tradenetsl.lk/chathuri.Kulasooriya hopes to invite talented painters to hold exhibitions in his gallery. World
in harmony The second part of the show is a sing- along, featuring popular songs for all ages. This will include a selection of well-loved golden oldies, calypsos, waltzes, theme songs from films and many others as well as a medley of baila songs. Friends-In-Harmony, the 20 piece orchestra comprises piano, 1st and 2nd violins, alto and tenor saxophones, flutes, clarinet, drums, bass guitar, lead guitar and keyboard. The orchestra, directed by Indrani Wijesundera, has been invited to perform in London later this month for a charity performance arranged by the Sri Lanka High Commission. Clifford Richards is the compere for this evening of music, which is definitely a must for music lovers of all ages. Tickets, priced at Rs. 750/- include refreshments, which will be served to the tables during the interval. For inquiries please contact Holiday Inn or Suneetha (Tel. 2694822). |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
