Artists and art lovers; they were all there
Portrait time: On the spot sittings
It wass indeed a free space to enjoy art! Green Path was crowded with hundreds of locals and foreigners last Sunday strolling leisurely among the roadside stalls full of colourful paintings and creative sculptures. Kala Pola, the annual open air art fair organized by the George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Holdings, was celebrating its Silver Jubilee and it was clear from the presence of well known artists as well as young aspiring artists and art lovers that it is more than fulfilling its objective.
Tharindu Fernando is a young artist who specialises in pyrography (wood burning art) and cookery. A chef by profession Tharindu has been a regular at the Kala Pola since 2013 and his wood burning art which is difficult and costly had an interested audience.
Among the first-timers at Kala Pola this year was Dineesha Dasanthi who wants to become an art teacher and participate regularly at Kala Pola in the future. Her forte is landscapes and Buddhist scenes which she renders in oils and acrylics.
Powerful: Chandana Gunathilake’s ‘spare parts’ sculpture
Surrounded by beautiful paintings of ancient temples, landscapes and design, Ven. Madirigiriye Pangnaseeha Thera has had a passion for drawing from a very young age. After six months training at the Aesthetic Teachers Training College, Giragama, he is at Kala Pola for the first time this year. Appreciating the concept of the open air art fair, he admits, “Meka chithra rasa widinna puluwn nidahas thanak (This is a free space to admire art).”
Live portraits were a popular segment at the Kala Pola this time and many were seen patiently posing for the artists to sketch their likeness.
A life size black metal horse standing on the sidewalk was an unmistakable attraction. Chandana Gunathilaka’s open stall was full of his creations of assembled art. Coming from Kottawa, he employs machine spare parts, metal, nuts, bolts and iron rods to create animal figures. Having graduated from the University of Visual and Performing Arts, eight years ago, Chandana explored the arena of assembled art as a step ahead from what he was taught for sculpture at university. “This is actually a modern form of sculpture and has a good market in Sri Lanka,” he says.
Retired art teacher, Chandrani Sudumenike, has been coming here since 2002. As she says Kala Pola is a good opportunity for the artists as they get together and share the same passion in art and sculpture. “Api aluth dewal dakinawa. Kala Jeewithe aluth wenwa (We see new things. Art life is refreshed).” To her Kala Pola is a platform to generate new ideas and explore new forms of art.
Art on the street: The scene at Kala Pola last Sunday. Pix by M.A.Pushpa Kumara
Children who passed her stall were all excited about the tiny stones with pictures painted on them. Featuring a unique collection of painted rocks and stones with miniature drawings, Sumudu Jayamaha is another first timer at the Kala Pola. Sumdu loves to explore new forms of art and started rock painting by first trying to draw on egg shells. “Chithra gannama one ne. Lassanai kiwwat athi (People don’t have to buy my paintings. Just admiring is enough for me),” says Sumudu. To her Kala Pola is an opportunity for women who have a passion and talent in art to come out of their households and show their skills to the world.
It was his 8th consecutive year at Kala Pola for Sudath Pushpakumara, who is also a regular at Green Path roadside on weekends. With the palette knife and acrylic paint, he creates abstract paintings which are equally admired by both locals and foreigners. To him Kala Pola is an ideal platform for young aspiring artists to showcase their talents.
First timer at Kala Pola R. Rajkumar who had come all the way from Urumpirai, Jaffna uses natural roots from trees, placed in different postures, to make creative pieces of art.
With such a variety of art on display, visitors – even those who did not buy any works, found much to admire and engage with.