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| Wednesday, 26 May 2004 |
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Artscope | |
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Nature lover's art exhibition
Having studied in the science stream in school which is unusual for an artist, he was posted as an executive in a government corporation after completion of his studies. He soon returned to his childhood passion of painting, and now resides in the hill capital of Kandy, in a small town called Ampitiya where he draws inspiration to his paintings from the scenic and culturally rich environment. Nihal was fortunate to associate and learn under Kala Bhooshana Pushpananda Weerasighe, the renowned sculptor and painter, where his natural talent as an artist was moulded and honed into maturity under the expert's watchful eye.
He learnt the art of water colouring under the able guidance of M. D. S. Goonatilleke, an award-winning water colour artist. Mention also must be made here of the invaluable service rendered by the late P. S. P. Jayatillele who was the art editor of the Sinhala Encyclopedia, in further improving the finer points in portrait painting and pastel work. Nihal was able to bag the President's Award for sculpture at the 115th annual competition organized by the Ceylon Society of Arts in 2002. This was his first participation at a competition. He also won a merit award for his painting at the same competition. He has formed an arts foundation where he helps young children to learn and appreciate art by organizing exhibitions, competitions and workshops where visiting artists impart their knowledge to the budding would be painters of tomorrow. Nihal doesn't confine himself to one medium only. He uses water colours, oil, acrylic and pastel as well as charcoal with equal ease. Sometimes he strives not to use traditional colours and uses a little clay or powdered lime stones and finishes off the work with the aid of a sponge or piece of cloth rather than the brush. He has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Colombo as well as his hometown Kandy. At the 116th annual competition which was held on May 13, he won a merit award for sculpture, first prize for paintings and both the President's and Prime Minister's Awards which are awarded to the best entry. **** Back **** |
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Nihal Wickramaratne will hold his first solo Art & Sculpture
exhibition from May 29 to June 1 at the Public Library, Colombo 7. Born in
1952, the eldest in a family of five children, Nihal Wickramaratne spent
his early childhood in mountainous Meegahakiula in Badulla district and
subsequently in Anuradhapura where his young mind was awed by the great
ruins and the age-old cultural remains of the ancient city.
