Paying homage to master strokes
Nihal Fernando’s odyssey into the remote corners of our island, where he captured timeless vistas of our heritage both natural and man-made (built by the kings of yore), stand testimony to sheer hard work (waiting for that perfect light, and toiling assiduously) and deep passion…
Who, lulled by his restful images of sunrise at the Horton Plains, our Mahavamsa ruins and spires rising above the jungle, a sloth bear sporting in a kema (waterhole) or the haunting sand dunes of Yala and Wilpattu at dusk, would not be moved by that ‘timeless island spell’?
Magul Maha Viharaya by Nihal Fernando
Now Studio Times is back with an exhibition at Barefoot not only of Nihal’s work, but also of friends, colleagues, and those for whom Nihal has been a posthumous mentor and inspiration.
Amongst these of course would be Pat Decker (his partner at Studio Times), Maxi Decker, Mithra Weerakone, Dominic Sansoni, Luxshmanan Nadaraja and Charith Pelpola, but also others not directly associated with Studio Times, namely- Asela Abeywardene, Channa Ekanayake, Sumudu Ellepola, Chandika Gunasekara, Nimalasiri Jayasena, Hiranya Malwatta, Salome Nanayakkara, Thisaru Prabashwara, Ruwan Prasanga, Kavindu Sathsara, Kasun de Silva, Charlene Thuring, Sarinda Unamboowe, Shane Walgama and Karunasiri Wijesinghe.
Chandika's Princess Uppalavanna: Inspired by an original photograph by Nihal Fernando
These include art and sculpture, say Anu and Yohan Weerasuriya (Nihal’s daughter and son- who were given this Sinhalese surname instead of Nihal’s own Portuguese one). It is in the Times tradition that no exhibition was ever ‘just Nihal Fernando’ but always a collective ‘Studio Times effort’.
For Nihal and them, photography was a lifestyle. It was during rambles to far-flung wild corners that the likes of Charith and Luxshmanan and Nihal’s young neighbour Sarinda Unamboowe were guided by and imbibed so much from the maestro. After and in between hearty breakfasts (with toddy) or repasts in small wayside taste kadeys they would stalk patiently for the subtle moment of the perfect atmosphere.
At the old Studio Times, we managed to chat with one young man whose work is sparked by the master’s photography- Chandika Gunasekara who works as a professional illustrator. This will be his first exhibition at Barefoot, just as it will be a platform for many of the others.
Some of Chandika’s art is taken off original photos by Nihal- like a wet-haired damsel in clinging diya-redda cloth picking lotuses in a wewa. Chandika’s version, just like the photo, speaks volumes.
The girl is an ebony silhouette in the painting, while on the far shore you see stenciled Sigiriya and the twin peak of Pidurangala. Chandika portrayed the girl as a princess, one of the two daughters of King Kasyapa (Bodhi and Utpala as they were called). While the painting pays its ode to traditional Lankan art there is also the Da Vincian technique of ‘Sfumato’, where fine shading almost hides subtle details; in this case fishes in the wewa, small birds, and a fountain springing from the princess’s hair…
Says Chandika, “Nihal Fernando’s photos speak and I wanted my art to do so too”.
Another painting is the Temple Drummer, where amongst the detail woven in are a dainty bird carrying the silver earring missing from the drummer’s right lobe, and typical temple trees like na, sapu, kadupul, and labu vines dancing.
Chandika was a student of Kalasuri S. P. Charles, Chandragupta Thenuwara, and Ninel Fernando among others, the latter of whom taught him to incorporate traditional arts and crafts into his paintings.
Also Channa Ekanyake, first launched by Nihal, will showcase rural pastoral scenery including huts and rice bins inspired by the black and white village photos, and sculptures by Ruwan Prasanga depicting the Kurullangala prehistoric cave art.
Yohan and Anu say that while proceeds from the exhibition will mostly be given to the artists, a certain amount will be allocated to environmental and charity projects, including a butterfly garden at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, and if possible, monthly wildlife art classes for young and emerging artists.
Nihal Fernando: Journey and Legacy will be on at the Barefoot Gallery from January 31 till February 6, 10 a.m.-6.30 p.m.daily. All exhibits will be available for purchase.
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.