Art from across Lanka
“Art of Sri Lanka” an exhibition held from February 4th to 10th at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery of the Faculty of Visual Arts of the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo to coincide with the country’s
75th anniversary of independence, featured the works of artists from across the country representing a rich diversity.
The exhibition was held on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directive with renowned artist S.H. Sarath organizing the artists’ contribution. It was opened by Ambassador of Thailand to
Sri Lanka, Poj Harnpol.
Over 300 paintings were submitted by 66 artists of all ages for this art exhibition including those involved in the “Aragalaya” movement. “Art opens everything up to such a bigger spectrum of people and this is why I personally believe art is powerful,” said Prageeth Rathnayake, an established young artist.
S. Gopalan from Hatton evocatively brought out the lifestyle, culture and the difficulties his plantation community experienced through the ten paintings he had on display –a scene from the Hatton railway station beautifully capturing the crowded station platform.
Vasantha Perera, whose painting of lawyers’ offices in Kandy appears on our Magazine cover, says that as a selftaught artist, he was proud to be part of this exhibition.
“Life nowadays is advanced and modernized so art holds a very significant role. This platform has the capacity to stimulate society by translating people’s experience,” said G.A. Jayathilake, a retired art teacher from Pasyala,
Nihal Sangabo Dias, another veteran artist known for his use of the palette knife and as a stamp designer has carved a niche for himself over the years. Art, he says, opens new possibilities for what needs to change in our world.
That sentiment was echoed by S.H.Sarath. “Art is one’s emotions flowing in a river of imagination. Where some people think that “art” is a painting or drawing of some sort, artists believe it has something more to it. This platform gives a bird’s-eye view about different opinions people have,” he said.