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Lankan and Moghul
By Esther Williams
Sybil Keyt's and Neville Weereratne's contributions to art and the cultural life of Sri Lanka are well known among art lovers within the country. The couple will present their recent work in oils on canvas and works on paper at their 4th joint exhibition at the Barefoot Gallery from October 17 to 31.

"I have portrayed images of Sri Lanka as I know, remember and love," explains Neville, pointing out that we may not be able to see such relaxed scenes much longer. The atmosphere he thinks has changed so much - people, costumes, smells, landscapes and buildings. "You will know the difference if you are as old as me," he goes on to say. He however is not sure if it could be considered economic progress.

Most of Neville's paintings show the gracefulness of people in flowing garments like sarongs. Buddhist monks who are so essentially a part of the Sri Lankan scene figure in some - at the temple, courtyard or hermitage.

Although the couple has been in Australia since 1971 they have made periodic visits to their homeland and have often taken those opportunities to visit the south coast, the hills and the interior places like Anuradhapura and Polonaruwa. It is the quiet places that Neville is drawn to and those scenes that he has seen during his travels form the theme for his pictures. "The paradise that we are in danger of losing is the kind of atmosphere that I am trying to record," says he. Done in warm earthy tones, the paintings depict his deep appreciation of the rural aspects of Sri Lanka.

All of Sybil's work at this exhibition has been inspired by the Moghul architecture of India. "India has a rich culture which is fascinating. The clothes they wear, the jewellery and colours are everyday costumes in the rural areas."

The decorative arches and ornamental structures such as those seen in Rajasthan, Ajantha and Ellora are painted in vibrant tones of blues and oranges to form variations of the theme. "I use archways as designs to make up the picture, says Sybil who prefers using oils which you can work over.

Sybil Keyt is a founder member of the Young Artists Group which came together under the aegis of Mrs. Cora Abraham in 1954. She has been exhibiting regularly at Group shows since and in association with Neville Weereratne.

Neville Weereratne is a member of the 43rd Group and exhibited with it since the first Group exhibition in London in 1952.He is also the author of The '43 Group: a Chronicle of Fifty Years in the Art of Sri Lanka; The Art of Richard Gabriel; Visions of an Island: Rare Works in the Christopher Ondaatje Collection and George Beven: a Life in Art.

In 2003, he edited Applause at the Wendt, an account of theatrical productions at the Lionel Wendt Memorial Arts Centre from its inception in 1954. Neville was a journalist working in the Daily News and Sunday Observer in the 50s and 60s and was also the editor of publications of The Ceylon Tourist Board. Both their work is found in collections around the world.

Over 80 paintings in sizes ranging from 1X1' to 7X5' will be shown at the exhibition that is open from 10 a.m to 7 p.m from Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m to 5 p.m on Sundays.

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