Insights into a rich artistic period
‘The Art and Design of Ismeth Raheem’ -the art experiential festival in Colombo had an evening launch at the Galle Face Hotel’s intimate space of the 1864 Room. Many art aficionados gathered to hear Ismeth in a brief conversation with Azara Jaleel, editor of the magazine on aspects of his work, his landmark design for the Cinnamon Lodge where he drew inspiration from the Ritigala monastery complex in reforesting a bare extent of 26 acres which would serve as a model for many later hotel projects. He touched too on his early days with Geoffrey Bawa and collaborations with that inspirational group of Laki Senanayake, Ena de Silva and Barbara Sansoni. There was his art too on the walls to pique more interest.
Azara Jaleel. Editor-in-chief of the ARTRA magazine in coversation with Ismeth Raheem. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
Some 65 of Ismeth’s works spanning six decades, from paintings, drawings, wood panels, woodcuts and etchings are featured in the Magazine.
The weekend saw a varied line-up at the Artra festival. Talks by cutting edge fashion designer Amesh Wijesekera, Ismeth’s architect contemporary Anura Ratnavibhushana, who regaled the audience with anecdotes of the ethos of the Bawa set and more.
In another talk on fostering artistic and literary appreciation among children, Prof. Neluka Silva drew connections from Ismeth’s work and the artistic concepts of her own books for children, while Azara Jaleel led a conversation on Lionel Wendt’s works at the Harold Peiris Gallery.
On Sunday, a more in-depth talk by Ismeth Raheem on his multi-faceted work and a walk through by Professor Sharya Scharenguivel, daughter of the owners of the De Soysa House, Cecil and Chloe de Soysa, on the house built by Bawa in 1985 and its art collection, provided more insights into a richly fruitful artistic period.
Artistic vision: Ismeth’s painting of the Habarana Lodge
Artist Anoma Wijewardene and other guests at the launch
Art and design: Amesh Wijesekera
Those were the days: Anura Ratnavibhushana recalls many memories
Art and children’s lit: Prof. Neluka Silva, one of the speakers
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