The landscapes changes its colours and textures constantly,
So as not to show me a particular shape or form…
The foreground, mid field and the background keep shifting in motion; constantly
Changing and reforming…
These abstractions inspire my eyes and mind
- Kingsley Gunatillake
The above lines encapsulate Kingsley Gunatillake’s vision, his passion to depict in abstract form, what he terms ‘inventive landscapes.’
“When you look at my paintings for the first time, you may not figure out my concept. But a closer look will make you understand the ideas behind my paintings. As you continue to read my paintings what you would see is the transitional stages. Inventive landscape is a modern concept of art-it means the turning point of the making of landscape,” Kingsley explains while preparing for his new exhibition which opened on August 21. It will continue till September 9 at the Paradise Road Galleries.
The exhibition features 18 paintings and eight drawings done on acrylic on canvas.
Kingsley says that he is generally into vibrant colours, particularly yellow. “Yellow is a kind of a symbol in almost all my paintings-it is an expressive colour; also sensual and striking,” he says adding that paying attention to colour is important for an abstract artist.
Hailing from Wadduwa, Kingsley obtained his degree from the College of Fine Arts – University of Kelaniya and followed it up with a diploma course in Scotland. Currently, he is a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Visual Arts, University of Kelaniya.
After he left school, he spent time in places like Anuradhapura, Kalutara, and the archaeological sites and temple murals there inspired him to take up art. He was fortunate to have the support and guidance of his guru, well-known abstract artist H. A. Karunarathne.
Kingsley who has travelled extensively to countries like UK, France, Ireland and Germany, says he derives much inspiration and ideas on techniques and concepts from seeing the works of the Masters in galleries and museums abroad. |
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