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| Wednesday, 26 May 2004 |
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Artscope | |
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Burghers display artistic talents by J. B. Muller The Burghers of Sri Lanka have invariably been a very creative community in many ways, not the least of which has been manifested, quite abundantly, in the sphere of the Fine Arts. In this instance, it is painting, drawing, its inspiration and legitimacy from a European heritage that had produced such great masters as Ast, Bakhuysen, Bruegel, Craen, Cranach, Durer, Flegel, and Van Gogh, Holbein, Jordaens, Rembrandt, and others equally revered in the world of art. The DBU (Dutch Burgher Union) will present an exhibition of some 100 paintings by over 50 Burgher artists representing a tradition that started about 200 years ago in 1811, shortly after the British took over the Dutch possessions on the Island in 1796. The dates to keep free are from May 28 to 30. (May 27 is open only to schools) at the Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt. From Van Houten in 1811, the several versatile Van Dorts, the talented Belings, Claessen and Collette, Keyt, the DeNieses, Beven, Cooke, Gibbs, Harridge, Raffel to Weinman, the works of a scintillating galaxy of Burgher artists will be on display at this landmark exhibition which, in itself, is a vigorous statement that the Burghers are not dead and certainly far from being buried by the vagaries of time, circumstance and history. The characteristically high-spirited Burghers with their exuberant love of life and wry sense of humour painted with zest and freshness like their European ancestors did on that vibrant and dynamic continent thousands of kilometres away across the seas. Humour The exhibition has one exception, and that is the photography of another great artist, the immortal Lionel Wendt who expressed himself in this more modern medium. A limited edition hardcover book of 500 copies titled The Burgher Connection displaying the artistry of the Burghers will also be launched later on this year though it was first expected to be launched at this exhibition and will be available for the modest price of Rs. 3,000 per copy. Certainly, it will very soon be a prized collectors' item of great value. It is a must for all art lovers and a reservation at the exhibition is advised to all art lovers. Burgher Art displays the styles of each period from the early 19th Century to this present day and age and represents various schools and styles, moods and perspectives of the wide variety of artists and for that reason alone, is worth the art lovers' patronage. Many Burgher artists work and live in their own post-1948 diaspora, the main countries being Australia, Britain and Canada, exiled by time and circumstance from their motherland. Diaspora However, artistic expression is a universal medium that recognizes no borders because like the noblest expressions of the human spirit, it transcends them and transforms the beholder. Burgher Art is Sri Lankan Burgher Art and is deeply rooted in the soil of this beloved land, which it pictures so sensitively. The many faces and figures and scenes, the mediums used to express those images of people and places and things, the colours, the interplay of light and shadow poignantly open a window upon the soul of the artist and that is like manna from heaven for the aficionado. Come, look, reflect, and appreciate the contribution made to the cultural life of Sri Lanka by this miniscule but significant ethno- socio-cultural community of European origin and of mixed parentage. The exhibition is another bridge built by the bridge-builders par excellence - the Burghers. **** Back **** |
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