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Arts

Randima Attygalle meets the artists of the international artists’ camp organised by the George Keyt Foundation
Beauty of difference
"My work is said to be stamped with individuality…," the words of George Keyt- the great master and founder member of the "43 Group" who contributed to modern art of Sri Lanka like no other, would have naturally sprung to the mind of the art lover who dropped by the Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt last week.

True to the words of Keyt himself, the gifted participants of the International Artists' Camp 2004, showed their "true colours" on canvas and paper, at the eighth consecutive Artists' Camp exhibition from October 30 to November 1. This year's theme was " A painting evolves within itself-the solution it presents." The artists' camp was sponsored by NORAD and the John Keells Group.

The George Keyt Foundation from its inception in 1988, has contributed to the local art scene, discovering new talent while developing that of the professional through an assortment of exhibitions of paintings and sculpture. To unearth the talent of artists up to the age of 40, the Foundation initiated "Young Contemporaries" in the early 1990s and "Nawa Kalakaruwo" or emerging new artists in 1994. "The Kala Pola" (open air art fair) inaugurated in mid-1992 is also a popular and much looked-forward to event among art lovers of the country.

Talking of the origins and objectives of the International Artists’ Camp, Chairman of the George Keyt Foundation, Cedric De Silva said, "We wanted to provide a dais for budding artists as well as veterans to display their talent through interaction and at the same time a medium to strengthen cultural ties between the participating nations." Participants get the opportunity to "mingle" and share each other's experiences, which is not always possible in any other venture of art thus providing better means to build life-long bonds.

Also distinct is the choice of location for the camp, a place where the artists' works are complemented by nature. "The maiden camp was held at Culture Club, Kandalama in 1997 and in Hikkaduwa in 1999 and for the past four years, including this time, the location has been The Village, Habarana. The organisers as well as the artists themselves believe that painting close to nature is vital for better results," adds Mr. de Silva.

This point was further endorsed by Indika Pathmananda from Tangalle who is now an experienced artist and sculptor having participated in many exhibitions of the George Keyt Foundation and at international level in India, France, Netherlands and Belgium. "When painting, one has to be committed with a free mind and for this the location is vital. The Village, Habarana was an ideal spot where we could let our imagination wander near a lake or just under the trees," said Indika. This is evident in his work titled Landscape and Reflection where he has captured the rising sun on canvas with dazzling acrylic and the dusk with sombre yet striking shades.

Indika, a Presidential Award winner, is a believer of beauty in cultural diversity and originality. “Although I have studied art under various gurus, I believe in adopting a distinct style and I also believe that interacting with other artists is important if we are to give a socially-responsible message,” says Indika.

Although this was his first Artists' Camp, Priyantha Udagedara from Divulapitiya has participated in several exhibitions in Colombo and abroad. All his six exhibits of acrylic on paper, depict women in a rural context. Priyantha identifies himself as an expressionist whose forte is between abstract and real art. " In most of my work, village surroundings are evident and in nude paintings, I am influenced by the Sigiri fresco-style and by twentieth century European artists," says Priyantha. Vibrant shades are apparent in all his work. Priyantha's works are displayed at the Lalit Kala Academy in New Delhi and Paradise Road Gallery, Serendib Gallery and Thambapani Gallery in Colombo.

Mixed media or a combination of watercolours, acrylic and paper is the speciality of Basil Cooray, a veteran artist portraying rural life in Sri Lanka. His exhibit "Moonlight" is a sensuous scene of a young couple embracing and bathing in moonlight while " Worship" evokes feelings of purity and spirituality. "Quite often I make use of my fingers and brushes are used most of the time for outlining," explains Basil whose works have found their way to the President's House, Central Bank and Embassy of Sri Lanka in South Africa.

"The prime responsibility of an artist is to speak with a true voice," says Jennie Watson, a Professor of Arts at the Queensland College of Arts, Griffith University in Australia, whose unusual presentation of oil and acrylic reflects her innermost thoughts during her stay at Habarana. It consisted of 30 panels of canvas bearing words such as "I walked along the beach… "People bathed and washed their clothes in the lake" and illustrations of a tusker, a waiter, a clay pot and many more objects she witnessed at Habarana.

For Jennie, art is a dialogue within one's self. A lover of eastern enchantment, Jenny is fond of cottons and jute, which she uses as a medium to paint on. " I find the texture of cotton in Asian countries to be unique and in fact I bought lots of material during my stay in Sri Lanka," adds Jenny. She feels local artists should be exposed to see the world more so that their talents could be further developed.

Indian sculptor H.G.Arunkumar revealed a theme of power in his "People's Chair", an innovative creation of wood, brass and hinges. "I used an abandoned wooden chair which was lying in the premises of The Village, Habarana and introduced new units to compartmentalise the original structure and of course, paints," said Arunkumar showing us several compartments of the wooden chair which symbolise the power of democracy.

Though a Christian by faith, Asil Bothun from Norway seems to have developed an ardent love for the Araliya or temple flower and learnt the five precepts of Buddhism. "I love this beautiful and dainty flower which seems to be in abundance in Sri Lanka," says Asil whose creation of Araliya flowers is made of watercolour, paper and glue. " I learnt that Buddhists believe that the five petals of Araliya symbolize the Five Precepts practised by them," said Asil who has also had the opportunity of visiting Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. She thanked the organisers and her fellow participants for giving her many treasured memories to take back to Norway.

Matisse, the master of brilliant colour
By Thilak Palliyaguruge
Henri-Emile-Benoît Matisse, the French painter was born in 1869 at the Cateau, a northern French town, and is generally considered the most innovative artist of the century. His father was a grain merchant. At the early age of 10, he was fortunate enough to receive a classical education at the lycée.

In 1887 he had to go to Paris to study law. While working for a lawyer he attended morning drawing classes at the Ecole Quentin Latour. However he got the true taste of painting when he was convalescing after appendicitis.

He gave up studying law and came under the tutelage of the renowned painter Adolphe Bouguereau. He was not content with his stereotyped method of teaching art and became an unofficial student under Gustave Moreau who was an open minded teacher. Gustave was always innovative and gave his students freedom to develop their creativity. Henri Matisse married Amélie Parayre and visited London. He frequented Moreau's studio, exhibited at the 1896 Salon of the "Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts" and was elected as an Associate Member of the Société and since then went on to become a successful artist. In 1905, when Matisse and his group of friends exhibited at the "Salon d'Automne", the art lovers of the day, after seeing brilliantly covered canvases, ridiculed them labelling them as Fauves (wild beasts). Fauvism aimed at the liberation of the traditional and descriptive role of colour.

Another landmark in Matisse's life was his meeting with the Stein family Leo, Michael and the famous sister Gertrude Stein, authoress and art lover. The Stein family earned an undisputed fame as great collectors, and this association gave a rare opportunity for Matisse to come into close contact with critics, dealers, and connoisseurs of art. He could thus shine as a contemporary artist of the day and success came after him quite rapidly.

The artwork of the chapel of the Rosary in Vence was a major undertaking in his last years and he considered it as an important project in his life. He remarked that he could translate into reality the outcome of his lifetime experiments in colour and light on to the innovative artwork of the chapel. He enjoyed working on this project very much. In 1921 the French Government purchased his work and thereafter he had a ready market for his paintings.

In 1937, he designed an artwork for a production of Shostakovich's "Le Rouge et le Noir" and afterwards worked on cut paper work. "The paper cut outs' he said, "allow me to draw in the colour. It is a simplification for me instead of drawing the outline and painting the colour inside it - the one modifying the other - I draw straight into the colour".

Even when he was seriously ill with cancer and while convalescing he worked from his bed or wheelchair with pieces of charcoal tied into long poles drawing on the ceiling and walls. Matisse died on November 3, 1954 at the age of 84.

Colombo’s Camerata Musica to perform its first concert
In August this year a small group of passionate music lovers gathered together to form a chamber choir in Colombo. Their aim, to perform and introduce a range of choral music authentic to the composer and his time and aspiring to the highest standards of performance.

Soon singers were auditioning. Music scores were being enthusiastically searched, guided by David Ratnanayagam, its director of music. David is a Bachelor of Music (honours) from the University of Melbourne and he was formerly assistant organist and choral scholar at St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne. He returned to Sri Lanka around two years ago.

Camerata Musica, as the new chamber choir is to be called is the brainchild of Terry Benson. This is the second time Terry is instrumental in launching a choir. The first was in Bromley UK in 1967 where he recalls they performed such challenging works as Bach's St. Matthew Passion and the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610.

'Camerata' is widely used in the name of Chamber groups around the world for instance in Boston, London, Salzburg, Cambridge and Tokyo. 'Camera' means chamber in both Latin and Italian. 'Camerata' an Italian word, means a circle of friends gathered togther in a chamber to enjoy and talk about the arts.

Colombo's Camerata Music will perform its maiden concert on November 14 at the St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk at 7.30 p.m. They will sing Hayden's Little Organ Mass and motets and anthems by Byrd, Monteverdi, Bruckner, Rutter, Mathias and more.

Admission is by programme which is available at the Lionel Wendt or at the door of St. Andrew's on the evening of the concert.

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