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Can there be a balance between feelings, desires and needs deep within you and the limitless possibilities of space and freedom beyond? It is difficult to find a compromise, says artist Druvinka, but that is what she has attempted to do in her latest paintings, which will be on display at her exhibition ‘Beneath Beyond’ from May 10-21 at the Barefoot Gallery, Colombo.

Druvinka Madawela has been interested in painting since childhood, with her father Major General Mano Madawela being an artist, and her brother Shehan also following the same path. Druvinka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (Painting), as well a post-graduate diploma in painting from the Visva Bharati, Santiniketan Institute of West Bengal, India. She lives and works in Mysore, South India.

For her paintings she uses the tempera technique- a method in which the canvas is stretched, bamboo or rice paper stretched on it and the colours are tempered onto it, creating layer upon layer of colour. Many colours must be used to get a particular shade, she says, and this system of painting is very much an ongoing creative process.

It is obviously a difficult technique to master, yet years of experience have made it possible for her to transfer the thoughts in her mind onto the canvas and achieve the creation she visualised. Where many stick to small-scale paintings when using this technique, Druvinka chooses to work on large spaces. This helps her to express herself better and brings personal satisfaction, she says. It is also the way in which she thinks-in terms of space, freedom, cosmic, universal.

Living in India has helped her overcome limitations and cross boundaries, she says, adding that being ‘no one’ when she got there gave her the freedom to express herself in ways she never thought possible.

“Druvinka is an absolute original, and what makes artists great is their originality,” says Nazreen Sansoni, Director of Barefoot Gallery. “It’s no wonder she wants to go bigger because she deals with large themes. Timeless, universal issues that affect us all, and the sensitive, artistic and expressive of us have the skill, means and talent to convey-Druvinka chooses to use oils and acrylics to do so- laying the canvas on the floor, splaying, splashing paint, moving around her paintings-layer upon layer of paint using the tempera process and yes, there is colour underneath.”