Arts
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wall of many colours The people at the GTZ have developed a very unusual way of keeping their walls hung with works of art. They offer their wall space to deserving artists free of charge. The result is an exhibition – one that is open not only to the general public but is viewed by the staff and the many visitors to their offices as well. GTZ, unlike other more conventional ‘galleries’, does not claim any percentage from the sales of the exhibits. “This is not about making money,” says Indika Peters, who co-ordinates such showings. She explains that GTZ’s unusual policy simply evolved out of their desire to have something beautiful to hang up in their workplace. “It is a two-way process,” she reveals, “we have all these beautiful colourful paintings adorning our walls and artists gets a chance to display their work.” Sweetening the deal is GTZ’s willingness to play host for the opening as well as to design, print and circulate the brochures for the artist. “We would like to make our space available not only for ‘conventional’ wall mounted artwork, but also to all forms of art such as traditional, modern, woodwork, rush and reed, handlooms etc.” For GTZ there is also another advantage -“in return we have so much variety,” Indika says explaining how the exhibits that change every few months are a pleasure for those with an eye of for beauty. Currently, on show is Mohan Sudusinghe’s exhibition of paintings titled “Rhythmic Lines”. This collection of almost kaleidoscopic colours and dancing lines is Mohan’s fourth exhibition but his first solo showing. It represents his coming of age. Entirely self-taught, Mohan enjoys working with “mixed media”, using acrylic, paper, cloth, wire, gum and anything else that happens to catch his fancy. Of particular note in this exhibition is his use of copper wire as a substitute for “black outlines”; the result is a glowing, gleaming, three-dimensional aspect to his work. Better known as a dancer, Mohan has been involved in the performing arts for over 15 years now. “I started dancing when I was 16,” he says, explaining that his only exposure to painting at that point was when he picked up the brushes to help create the backdrops used in the performances. However, in 2001 a knee injury forced him to take a short break from dancing. A break that gave the painter in Mohan the long awaited chance to brush the surface. Friend
and fellow artist Ouida Keuneman helped Mohan explore various forms
and styles of art. “All his initial paintings were of dancers,”
says Chamila, Mohan’s wife, explaining that he found an outlet
for his frustration in his work. Another young painter shares the wall space at GTZ. 3 1/2 year old Senuka Sudusinghe, a budding artist in his own right is very happy to bask with his father in the limelight, Chamila reveals smiling; Mohan himself places great value on his son’s feedback and has been known to make changes to pieces on the little one’s say so. Interestingly such choices have resulted in the pieces becoming more appealing. Chamila, who designs all the frames for her husband’s work, has done the same for her son. Her skill is particularly visible in pieces such as ‘Tikiri Liya’ and ‘To Dance My Destiny’ – works that are not only gorgeous in their own right, but are set off to perfection by her hand-painted, antique like frames. This is obviously a very successful –not to mention enjoyable - family effort. In the meantime, as a dancer, choreographer and teacher as well, Mohan continues to explore the depths of his own talent. “When I dance my inspiration and passion come from within,” he says, “the same is true of my painting.” Evening
of music with French harmonica artiste Parisian-born, J.J. Milteau started playing the harmonica after being inspired by blues artistes and carried it with him on his travels as a young man to Europe and North America. Milteau has performed with the best of French singers from Yves Montand to Charles Aznavour and has recently toured widely in the U.S, the Caribbean Islands, Africa and in the Fast East. The
poet and the painter Mrs. Fernando in whose life faith in God and spirituality play a large part, feels that every poet, painter, and artist, is always in touch with the transcendent mystery of eternal reality, for which one has to have the grace of God. If one is true to oneself, one will catch glimpses of this reality and it is the presence of this sacred mystery in one’s work, which makes it poetry. One of the paintings that are dearest to her is that of her beloved garden, where she spends much of her time, painting or reading. This painting expresses the sacredness of nature in its soft hues. Some of her paintings depict the lovely movements of oriental dancers, who she says, move with such grace, because of the divine energy within them. Most of her paintings depict the idyllic quality of rustic Sri Lankan life. She has a penchant for scenes of crowds and crowded places, conveying the typical moods and activities of the people as she is drawn by the vibrancy and excitement of such scenes. Light and colour are her main sources of inspiration, and she paints the varying effects of light on nature, on man and on the very atmosphere. Often, the beauty of scenes she witnesses during her many travels around the country and abroad, is first captured in her sketchbook and then transferred onto canvas. As a child, she used to watch her mother, Genevieve Edirisinghe paint, and took to it as a hobby herself. When her unique talent was identified by her art teacher in school, it led to her pursuit of art as a full time career, a career that now spans three decades. The journey to becoming a successful female artist has not been smooth, yet, her strong faith, commitment and deep love for her work, have helped her reach the pinnacle where she stands today. Marie Alles Fernando has held many international exhibitions, in New Delhi, Japan, London, Singapore, Bangkok and Vienna. Her works are displayed at the Bank of Ceylon, Standard Chartered Bank, Hotel Taj Samudra, Hilton Hotel and many homes and offices both here and abroad. In 2000, she won the distinguished Zonta Award, ‘Woman of Achievement’, for her exceptional contribution to creative art in Sri Lanka. ‘Poetry
in Colour’, will include watercolours, and pastels, as well
as oil on canvas. Ms. Nirupama Rao, the Indian High Commissioner,
will be the Chief Guest at the opening of the exhibition. |
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