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Arts

A mixed bag
By Esther Williams
Art is a mirror that reflects reality some feel while others consider it a hammer used to shape society. To Zinufa Salih Razik it is simply a means to relaxation, its purpose to inspire, stir emotions, and communicate with the viewer.
A mixed bag of paintings and drawings that she has worked on over the past year will be exhibited from March 31 to April 2 at the Harold Peries Gallery. Her distinctive style that she has perfected over the past four decades is visible in the paintings.

Zinufa’s memories of Africa that she visited one and a half years ago are featured prominently in her paintings. One can’t but enjoy the paintings of the natives of Kenya that have been depicted in incredibly vibrant colours. “The features are not lifelike but I have balanced them with colour for the required effect,” Zinufa says of the pieces done purely from imagination.

The dark-skinned Nubian fruit sellers wearing chunky ornaments and carrying baskets of fruit are certainly eye-catching. The artist has opted for the time consuming layer technique using oils. “It makes the subjects stand out rather than being flat,” she explains.

In fairly large sizes, the landscapes depicting scenes both in Africa and Sri Lanka are mounted on jute. A unique 3D effect has been created with the use of oil and acrylics. As for the vivid African and Sri Lankan birds, they have been portrayed on ingress paper using pastels.

Zinufa’s versatility is further revealed in the pencil sketches of Middle Eastern dancers and street scenes. A former student of Cora Abraham whose lessons focused primarily on free expression and life classes in the 60’s, Zinufa went on to learn from the eminent A.C.G.S. Amarasekera where she was introduced to all mediums of commercial art.

Classes with Dora Tomulic revived her skills following a long break and the past four decades have seen her dabbling with various techniques including porcelain and fabric painting. Joining the group Studio d’Art eventually enabled her to experiment further with various forms and break out into an individual style. The forthcoming event however is her first solo exhibition.

It’s another Sunday of art
By Randima Attygalle
A late breakfast, a hot cup of tea and the weekend papers make a complete Sunday for most of us. But Sunday, April 2 promises more for the lover of art with a flair for ‘exploration’ and ‘adventure’ as Kala Pola, the most sought-after arts event of the year takes place on the pavements of Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path) from around 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

A joint venture of George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Holdings, Kala Pola will mark its 14th ‘colourful’ year, opening doors once again for amateur and professional alike to showcase some of the best contemporary art in the country.‘Freedom’ and ‘flexibility’ of expression being the cornerstones of Kala Pola, it best manifests the dictum of all ventures of George Keyt Foundation, ‘opportunity for art’. Unlike the work in a gallery, where access to display, view and even purchase is restricted, Kala Pola becomes a liberal dais where artists can display any amount of work devoid of themes and rules imposed.

Whether it’s a canvas, sculpture or a hand-painted card, the choice at Kala Pola is always hair-splitting. Equally a Herculean task it is to choose among a sea of mediums - oils, acrylic, water colours and line drawing. ‘Beauty of diversity’ being another underlying principle, Kala Pola caters to a wider audience of art lovers.

Snake charmers, stilt-walkers and veralu ammes will add a flavour of festivity justifying the concept of a real pola whilst music in the backdrop and refreshments to savour, will generate a ‘carnival mood’, assuring any Kala Pola fan many treasured moments.

“It is just like a colourful drama,” seems to be Channa Ekanayake’s definition of Kala Pola. “Unlike an artistic effort in a gallery, Kala Pola attracts a sea of art lovers within a very short time span,” explains Channa adding that a varied audience is catered to by an equally diverse ‘army of artists’. Simultaneous display of artistic skills by several generations is another special facet Channa sees in Kala Pola. “Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons showcase their talents side by side,” adds Channa.

Making his debut at Kala Pola, Saman Liyanage is eagerly waiting to share the excitement it offers. “I’ve always been a visitor at Kala Pola and this time as a participant, I yearn to experience not only its inherent flavour but interaction with other veterans in the field,” he says.

Child and father at play
An exhibition of visual art by Koralegedara Pushpakumara is on at the Barefoot Gallery till April 2. In the late 1990’s when Pushpa started painting his subject matter depicted political and social events, this was the time when freedom of_expression’ had a coming out as it were, and one of the first avenues to freely embrace this, was art. I believe some of the most exciting art was created at this time.

When asked to describe his paintings in this exhibition – Pushpa says without hesitation, that his paintings are “a visual of my everyday life, my experiences and existence.” His focus at present is around his three year old son.

Using tubes of colour directly on to the canvas, the paintings capture the feeling of a little child playing with paints. Consequently, the paintings are full of playfulness and spontaneity and introduce objects for the first time: Toys, a photograph, the ‘things’ his child picks up and explores. Father and son paint together, sometimes.

-Nazreen Sansoni

Exhibition by Mohan
Rhythmic Lines - an exhibition of paintings by Mohan Sudusinghe is on today and tomorrow at the Harold Peiris Gallery in the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
Mohan Sudusinghe started his artistic career as a dancer and dedicated his life to dancing. He had built up a name for himself as a professional dancer and choreographer for over fifteen years when a knee injury forced a short pause in his dancing career and gave Mohan time to take up painting seriously. Being closely associated with dance, Mohan's paintings mainly comprise sculptural collages with images of dancers and instruments.

A self taught artist, Mohan enjoys working with "mixed media" using acrylic, paper, cloth, wire, gum, etc. A painter with a style of his own, he is gifted with a strong sensitivity to design and colour.

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