Vapi – a cycle of painting capturing the mystery and beauty of Sri Lanka’s ancient reservoirs, by well-known artist Karunasiri Wijesinghe will be held from December 15 – 18 at the Lionel Wendt. By focusing on ancient Sri Lankan culture, particularly water bodies, the artist seeks to create respect for the works of our ancestors.
Water is the prime substance of the Universe, water is associated with life-energy and endows a magic of its own,” says Karunasiri. At the Vapi Exhibition, viewers will experience the artist’s unique experiences with well-known reservoirs such as the ‘Kala wewa, Nachchaduwa, Hakvatuna weva, Minneriya weva, Sorabora weva, Tissa weva, Balalu weva, and Mapakada weva’.
Karunasiri is known for his works surrounding the agrarian culture. His works represent an aesthetic exploration of the flora and landscapes.
Karunasiri Wijesinghe is also famous for his original book covers and illustrations. He won the prestigious Bunka award for achievements in the visual arts in 2005.
The paintings depict the theme ‘Wev bendi rajje – The Kingdom of Tanks’, showing how literally hundreds of small and large tanks and reservoirs dot the vast expanse of dry zone in Sri Lanka, and their intimate link with local culture.
“Water has many facets in our culture,” Karunasiri says, “Most of the reservoirs are associated with gods and deities and I have tried to bring out this spiritual aspect.”
Karunasiri will exhibit over 12 oil paintings and 16 drawings on paper.
Check out GLF
2012 programme
The HSBC Galle Literary Festival 2012 has announced its programme details on www.galleliteraryfestival.com . Tickets will be on sale in early January 2012 for the festival which will run from January, 18 – 22.
The 2012 GLF promises to have some lively sessions with an amazing collection of diverse writers from all over the world. Due to attend are Joanne Trollope, Richard Dawkins, Tom Stoppard, D.B.C Pierre, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, John Boyne, Aminatta Forna, Romesh Gunasekera, Nayantara Sahgal and other noteworthy authors.
The news release from the organizers states, “At the same time we are sorry to announce that for personal reasons Meera Syal will not be able to attend the festival.”
“We welcome our new headline sponsor HSBC to the festival for the first time, also newcomers Magic and One Trust Sri Lanka the philanthropic arm of Cargills (Ceylon)PLC, Range Rover and Colombo Jewellery Stores. We warmly welcome back The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sri Lankan Airlines, The Royal Norwegian Embassy, the American Center, British Council, Jetwing Lighthouse Hotels, Amangalla, Printcare, MCN associates, ETV, Wijeya Group and B Sharp.
“Galle Literary Festival 2012 is able to achieve its mandate because of its sponsors’ generous support. This generosity also allows the Festival, through its Children’s Outreach Programme, to extend our programming to schoolchildren and teachers from all regions and cultural communities in Sri Lanka,” the release states.
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