He communicates through art
‘Silent Canvas’ – the first exhibition by hearing and speech impaired artist Rohan Vidanapathirana will take place on July 1 and 2 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.
Rohan will display 52 paintings – all abstract explosions of colour on diverse themes such as nature, animals, people – particularly the hardships of the village folk.
His art is a legacy from his maternal grandmother to his mother and finally to him along with his six siblings — the ability express themselves through a canvas and a paintbrush. However, it was only young Rohan who chose to develop his artistic skill as a student of the School for the Deaf in Ratmalana where he began his academic career.
Rohan remembers he would look at his fellow students’ drawings, but did not believe he could do the same. Out of curiosity he began to draw at home and it was his elder brother, Senaka Vidanapathirana who kept encouraging him.
With his notable talent attracting the attention of the teachers at his school, he had won many prizes for his art.
Rohan Vidanapathirana. Pix by Indika Handuwala
For higher studies he entered the Government College of Fine Arts, Heywood (now the University of the Visual and Performing Arts) and spent five years learning the various techniques of painting. He was the only deaf student at Heywood. Well-known artist Dr. H.A. Karunaratne guided him and helped him develop further.
Rohan went on to enter the advertising industry where he could utilise his artistic skills and enjoyed a career of 36 years working for reputed companies. He is also a talented cartoonist and sculptor. His drawings were an asset to the companies he worked for at the time.
While working at Phoenix, he took part in exhibitions in 2000, 2003, and 2010. Incidentally, his drawings have been featured in the GEM biscuit packets.
Apart from sign language, he communicates through his art, and about 10 years ago, went back to his alma mater to encourage children to draw. Their paintings on the school wall, saw many children discovering a new talent.
Now retired, at 72, Rohan keeps up with his painting. To the little children and adults alike who are walking in the same shoes that he once walked in, he encourages them to keep practising if they have an interest to express their creativity through art, as that’s the only way to develop one’s skill.
‘Silent Canvas’ will be on at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 1 and 2.
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