Stamping an indelible mark
View(s):- Harseni Hewavitarne’s parting gift to Ladies’ College, a painting, is the commemorative stamp
for the school’s 125th anniversary celebration
By Sajani Ratnayake
Her artistic education began with well known teachers like Latifa Ismail and Noeline Fernando at a very young age, and later at the Shyamala School of Art. Her journey continued at Ladies’ College, where her teachers nurtured her love for the craft.
Harseni Hewavitarne
One particular painting, initially done as a parting gift for Ladies’ College, has brought her art into the spotlight in ways she never anticipated. Though her current bachelor’s degree isn’t in the arts (in global health and development from the University of Hong Kong), art remains a significant part of her life. Whether it’s through sketching in her free time or embracing her love for larger portraits in acrylics, gouache and landscapes in watercolours, art is her sanctuary.
The painting was a personal gesture for Ladies’ Principal Deepika Dassenaike, but it soon became something much bigger when the school selected it as the design for their commemorative stamp for their 125th anniversary celebration.
“I was obviously thrilled,” Harseni says, but since she is not in the country, she could not play a significant role in designing this stamp for the celebration. She acknowledges the contributions of fellow designers, including Lara Gunawardana, Nethra Bulankulame and others who brought the commemorative designs of the school to life.
The inspiration behind this piece is deeply rooted in her memories of Ladies’ College, and evokes a sense of nostalgia which, will resonate with LCites of all ages. Harseni has captured the intricate details of the red main gate that every student, staff member and visitor passes through, recalling how, as a child, the gate seemed to tower over her, a symbol of the vastness and potential the school promised. “It’s the same gate that everyone walks through, with their own hopes and dreams,” she says, a full-circle moment when leaving the school too, as the gates now represented a ‘second home’. Thus, the stamp imparts this same idea of the warm welcome to the school that the artist has cleverly captured.
The process of transforming a larger painting into a smaller design presented an interesting challenge. As she is known for creating large-scale portraits and landscapes, the original painting was around A3 size, but when reduced for the stamp, the intricate details were kept intact. “The rough black pen outlines I added helped bring the piece to life even on a smaller scale, and I credit the designers who did a wonderful job preserving its essence,” she shares.
While this opportunity has opened doors and increased the visibility of her work, she emphasises the importance of support from her teachers and mentors. “I’m really grateful to all my teachers who saw potential in me from the start,” she mentions, for it is their belief that pushed her forward.
Harseni’s Instagram art account, @curryleaf_, serves as a platform where she showcases her paintings and occasionally accepts commissions. This experience has also inspired her to explore more landscapes and cityscapes, bringing real-life experiences to the canvas.
Inspiration comes from everyday experiences and artists from diverse backgrounds, including Laki Senanayake, Kelogsloops (Hieu Nguyen), and Simon Prades. Art exhibitions she has visited have also left a mark, she says, but perhaps most significantly, her family plays a crucial role in her artistic journey.
She fondly recalls painting watercolours with her grandfather, an old boy of Ladies’ College, a cherished bonding experience that continues to this day. Her family’s encouragement has been a driving force in her art, reinforcing her belief that everyone needs a creative outlet. “Even if you think you’re not good at it, if you make art consistently, you’re still an artist,” she says. “My family has always taught me to never let go of my creative talents.”
Though art remains a central part of her life, she admits that, at present, her future plans are not entirely set. “Maybe once I graduate, I’ll focus more on it,” she says. This experience allowed her to explore a new dimension of her art—creating a design small enough to be translated for a stamp, but still impactful in its representation to touch the hearts of many generations of LCites, as they celebrate the 125th anniversary of their school.
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