Seeing the brightness of life
Physical limitations are not barriers for Priya the artist and musician
“It’s therapy. It’s a release. I go into the painting and I release my feelings into it,” says artist and musician Priya Goonethillake whose fifth art exhibition, ‘Escape 2’ is on at the Lionel Wendt this weekend. The exhibition features the paintings she’s been working on this past year.
A self-taught artist Priya first exhibited her work in 1972 aged 17, then later with the Ceylon Society of Arts, at Kala Pola, and at the Sao Paulo Art Bienniale in Brazil. “I learnt with every painting and exhibition,” she says, adding that it was an effective alternative to formal training.
But as the daughter of prominent art critic L. P. Goonethillake, Priya had the constant presence of eminent artists L.T.P. Manjusri, George Keyt, Justin Deraniyagala, and ACGS Amarasekera visiting their home, and soaked in the vibrant discussions. “I learnt from each of them. While my father spoke I listened,” she fondly recalls.
Aside from art, music has always been her passion, one which she indulged in from her schooldays at Visaka Vidyalaya when she formed her own girl group “The Planets”. They travelled and performed across the island. She then went on to form ‘Back to the country’, ‘Pearl’ and ‘Kismet’, all popular groups performing in hotels. As the passion turned into a career, her focus turned away from art. This resulted in a nearly two decade hiatus between her third and fourth art exhibitions.
In fact her return to art was a result of tragic circumstances. A double amputee, Priya lost her legs due to diabetes over three years ago. What started out as a simple shoe cut resulted in her being confined to a wheelchair. But not the type to throw herself a pity party, her cheery demeanour and ‘can do’ attitude flies in the face of anyone who wants to sympathise with her ‘plight’.
“I like to see the brightside of life and not invite the darkness in,” says Priya and her paintings all bright colours and large open scenic landscapes are testament to this. She admits that it was difficult when she lost the first leg, but she learnt to accept it and move on. “Being depressed about what you lost is not going to help you. You have to uplift yourself.” In fact she says she enjoys life more now, as she appreciates close friends and family more, and stresses less about unimportant things.
Still performing as a singer and percussionist, Priya is as outgoing as ever. Though now having to be concious about simple things like access to venues, stages and even restrooms, she’s hopeful that things will change, so that especially younger people who are similarly confined to wheelchairs won’t be prevented from socializing and living their lives. ‘Escape 2’ sees Priya inspired by scenic locations across Sri Lanka, from Ella to Yala. The large open spaces makes you want to escape into them, which is why she named the exhibition Escape.With almost four decades in the music scene in Sri Lanka most people only know her as a musician. But she hopes that this exhibition and those that come after it will move her close towards being an ‘artist’. “I want to be a complete artist. Be complete creative wise,” she says with a glint of determination in her eyes. Priya’s exhibition ‘Escape 2’, is on today at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery in Colombo 7, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.. For more information please contact Priya Goonetilleke at 076 661 8427 or at priyagoonetilleke@gmail. com