New home for Casa Serena
Artist Nisansala Karunaratne Rajapaksa opened the doors to her Casa Serena gallery’s new location with an exhibit of not one, but three different collections on Friday, July 28. Initially located in Colombo 5, the art gallery and boutique space is now located on D.S. Senanayake Mawatha in Colombo 8.
The first collection on display titled ‘Where do I Belong?’ comprises Nisansala’s latest work – three paintings done in watercolour. Her lifelong interest in studying and experimental work led her to explore the connections humans have to colours. The concept of the collection is based on the Buddhist chronicle Visuddhimagga (path of purification) and its description of the six characters of humans. A conversation with a forest monastic monk was illuminating as she learned that some humans who achieve a state of intense concentration through meditation reach a point where they see a light that varies in colour according to their character.
“When I say, ‘where do I belong?’, it’s a question I want us to ask ourselves, and through that, find out where we belong and how we can correct ourselves or how that could benefit our society,” explains Nisansala. “In this country, we hear from the news and media and it’s not very positive. We can correct it and we have to start somewhere. It’s easy if we do it within ourselves and then if each of us does so, the whole society would be a better place for living for everybody.”
Much of Nisansala’s work is influenced by elements of Buddhism and her interest in the religion. Having first pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the San Jose State University in California and broadening her scope to include more forms of art, she then earned a master’s in Buddhist Studies from the Post Graduate Institute of Pali & Buddhist Studies.
Nisansala Karunaratne Rajapaksa
The second collection on display in the Collector’s Gallery consists of the works of veteran artists like members of the ‘43 Group, as well as others in the same period such as Selliah Doraisamy and Donald Ramanayake. “I wanted people to see them, especially the next generation because it’s a very rare collection.”
The old and the new : A wide range at Casa Serena Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara
The third collection, ‘Gallery for a Cause’ was displayed in the new art studio and is in line with Nisansala’s work as a social activist. The work on display includes works by Nisansala herself, as well as international artists who have generously donated their work to raise funds. She often uses her art to raise awareness and funds for causes she is passionate about, like her work with the Cancer Care Association.
Nisansala’s passion for social service also seeks to give people a much-needed break from their busy lives. The art studio space is open to anyone who needs room to destress, whether through art, music, or dancing. “If you have a stressful mind, you can just let go, relax, and rejuvenate,” encourages Nisansala.
Visit www.nisansala.com for more information about the gallery.
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