Exhibition of paintings by Sarala

By Manjari Peiris

Sarala Jayasekera had her maiden a, art exhibition at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery recently.

The Chief Guest at the inauguration of this exhibition was Mrs. Kumari Grero, the Coordinating Principal of the Lyceum Group of International Schools.

Sarala has just turned 18 years and she was the Head Girl of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, from 2005 to 2006.

She has been guided for painting by Mrs. Lathifa Ismail, since she was about 3 and half years.

She has been fortunate and had the opportunity to exhibit her paintings at Group Exhibitions since she was 6 years.

She contributed her paintings jointly at her mother's exhibition of paintings in 1998 and subsequently with her mother and grandmother in 2001.

Sarala had the rare privilege of exhibiting her paintings at an Exhibition/Auction organized by the Child Protection Society of Ceylon Inc., in association with the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Under the guidance of Mrs. Nisreen Amiruddeen, she offered Art and Design for her London Ordinary Level Examination in 2004.

Sarala looks forward to continuing her higher studies in Chemistry or Ecology and Environmental Science. Since leaving school she has been volunteering as a Teacher Assistant at the Lyceum International School Resource Room to help children affected from disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Down's syndrome.

‘I enjoy spending my time with them and my intention in holding this particular exhibition is to enhance the quantity and quality of facilities that are available for these children by spending the proceeds of sale of my paintings.’ she said.

According to Sarala, most of her paintings are associated with wildlife scenery for which she has a great passion.

‘Along with my parents I have spent much time in several National Parks in Sri Lanka from the time I was a toddler’ she added. She loves to use soft pastels, gouache and watercolor pencils, especially to experiment with mixed media.

‘But I have produced some oil paintings as well,’ said very hopeful Sarala.