Musings…by Hiranthi
Maiden Solo Art Exhibition by Hiranthi Jayasundara
CAN YOU START WITH AN INSIGHT TO YOUR BACKGROUND?
My roots go to the southern Sri Lankan village of Baddegama and I am the second among three children in our family. I had my primary and secondary schooling in Galle at Sacred Heart Convent, and I think I had the privilege of embracing and immersing in the authentic village life and culture in its original form way back in 1970s and 1980s. Vast paddy fields, the river (Gin Ganga), Ancient Village Temple, Christ Church were all things so very closely integrated into my life. I was a Girl Guide at Sacred Heart Convent, Galle and I remember full day expeditions into faraway places with my colleagues, all in push bicycles and our backpacks and guiding uniforms!
While in grade 9, I was selected for Canadian Crossroads International Student Exchange Programme as the only student from Sri Lanka.
I stayed with a young host family in Canada for
3 months and had to interact with children from over 100 countries across the globe for various social and cultural programmes. This was one wonderful opportunity which opened up a whole new world for me at a very young age.
IF SOMEONE ASK WHETHER YOU HAVE INHERITED THE TALENT FROM SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY..
I would rather say..’no’ as I have not seen anyone in my family drawing, but of course my mother and brothers are creative and artistic in their own ways. I think it’s a talent emerged within myself, because I liked to draw from a very young age. I remember people admiring my drawing and art work when I was just a kid. So, I knew I had some talent within myself. However, this remained hidden as I was concentrating on my A/levels, and soon after I started working as a trainee optometrist at Albert Edirisinghe Opticians and thereafter, doing a 2 year full time Diploma in Montessori ( AMI) at St.bridget’s Convent Colombo 7. I would rather consider my work as a fulfilling pastime which gives me immense satisfaction. I do my painting during my free time and when I’m in the right mood. Being a mother of two loving sons is quite tough to find a free time though sometimes. This kind of thing needs a lot of time and freedom and you just cannot rush through. I have not thought of taking it up full time as I am teaching at Asian International School. However, it’s a kind of full time job for me right now as I am working as an Art Teacher. After all it’s my passion.
‘LIFE CHANGES OFTEN BY CHOICE AND SOMETIMES BY CHANCE’
I left for Calgary, Canada in 2009 to take up an assignment as a teacher and served in Canada until 2014. During that time I entered “The Alberta College of Art and Design” as an external student and studied Acrylic painting. Graduating from this academy was a big achievement for me, as I wanted to learn the proper techniques and obtain a deeper subject knowledge. While I was there I got the opportunity to sharpen and enhance my skills.when it’s come to painting, it’s all my imagination and self expression for sure.