On an artistic exploration
17-year-old Ameli Vidanearachchi holds her first exhibition
Both her parents Upula Madhushanka and Amanda Rajapakse being architects share an interest in many forms of art, and Ameli Vidanearachchi believes that she gets her love for art through the artistic environment she grew up in. “My father draws his plans with quick sketches, so when I was a kid I would try to draw my own house plan, sort of emulate what he did. My mother draws beautifully as well. So what she appreciated, I started appreciating as well,” she says.
17-year-old Ameli, a past student of Bishop’s College, Colombo now at the Elizabeth Moir School, was awarded the world prize at the Edexcel O’Level examination for art in 2018. She enjoys exploring various styles and likes to focus on the emotional effect the image has on the viewer by manipulating colour, shape and form.
Ameli held her first solo art exhibition on Wednesday, October 23 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. On display were her sketches in pencil and ink, watercolours, acrylic and oil paintings – presenting this young artist’s progress in art.
Her talent was initially brought out through her school, Bishop’s College, Colombo and then choosing to do art for her Ordinary Level examinations at the Elizabeth Moir School, she says the experience of studying art as a subject motivated her to continue painting
Finding time to paint with her studies and extra-curricular activities has not been easy; “It’s definitely a challenge” she says, but any leisure time she has, will find her in her own little painting corner at home.
Studying Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Literature for her A’Ls, Ameli plays classical and jazz piano, and has performed at many school events at Bishop’s. Her father’s interest in music has been a huge influence she says.
Buildings, places or people, she is still trying to figure out the subject matter that suits her best but at present she is keen to explore different ideas.
With her first exhibition now successfully concluded, Ameli is grateful to her parents for their efforts in organising it and to her mentors, her art teacher Aruni Wijeyagunewardena and veteran artists Channa Ekanayake and Chandragupta Thenuwara for their guidance. Without them she would not have progressed in this journey that she takes great pleasure in, she says.