Funday Times

Painting for Tsunami
Two sisters Nishika (13) and Nikita (12) Samaratunga held an art exhibition in aid of the tsunami affected children's camp in Moratuwa. This was the first time the two sisters, who were students of the Lathifa Ismail School of Art, were having an exhibition all on their own. The exhibition was held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on December 21 and 22, 2005. The sisters study at Stafford International School.

The exhibition was dedicated to the late Sriyani Nonis, their grandmother, who passed away in June last year. She was a great source of inspiration to them both and encouraged them to paint. She was also a generous person who helped the less fortunate, including those affected by the tsunami. This was where the girls drew their inspiration to help those in need. Through the exhibition, they raised Rs. 75,000.

Nishika and Nikita have two completely different styles of painting. Nishika prefers painting "figures and animals" while Nikita said her preference is abstract with the use of bright colours.

Speaking to the elder of the two, she said, while visiting a tsunami camp in Moratuwa, she realized the kids didn't have anything. So she decided to help them. "I came up with the idea on my own", she went on to say, with regard to the decision of holding the exhibition and sale of paintings. The sisters said that their aim was to help send the children to school.
Both of them in total had around 50 to 55 paintings on exhibit. Nishika had around 30.

Nishika has been a student of the Lathifa Ismail School of Art from the age of three. "Now I go on and off, it is like a hobby for me and it is relaxing", she said. Nikita said, "I have been going to Aunty Lathifa since the age of four", adding, "she inspires us… we go for the atmosphere, it is relaxing".
As for inspiration, Nishika said, "it can be anything", she likes to paint figures like Kandyan dancers etc. "It depends on anything I am in the mood to paint", said Nikita.

They did not have a theme as such for the exhibition and they painted what they felt like paining. It is interesting to note that the sisters painted a mural together, which was one of a mother and child being separated during the tsunami. It is a painting, which blends their two styles of paining, where abstract art and figures gel together.

The girls have had exhibitions previously with others. They have had exhibitions with the students of Lathifa Ismail School of Art. They have also collected funds for the Hope Cancer Hospital. In addition, they helped build a ward at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and also have raised funds for the Ranmuthugala Girls Home. -By Natasha Fernandopulle

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