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| Wednesday, 18 August 2004 |
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Joint exhibition of paintings and sculpture: Nature - inspired duo P. A. Francis Perera and Dhammika Anuradha will hold their joint exhibition of paintings and sculpture at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 7 from August 19-21. Francis hails from Kalagedihena, bordering Nittambuwa and started his painting career from his childhood. He derived much of his inspiration from the beauty and the serenity of the trees, brooks and wildlife surrounding his country home. He continued his advanced studies at the Ceylon Society of Arts, where he won many prizes for his paintings and sculpture.
The government in its endeavour to create and foster arts and crafts in the provinces, conducted regional training centres under the auspices of reputed artists. Using this opportunity, Francis broadened his horizons of knowledge, painting and studying art under two of Sri Lanka's great celebrities in S. Lankatilaka and G. S. Fernando. Francis continued his art with G. S. Fernando at his Mt. Lavinia residence, spending long hours with him by the beach, capturing on canvas the magic of the sea and its haunting melody. G. S. Fernando had this to say, "Francis is one of my most talented pupils, who picked up the technique in a very short time. His water colour paintings are worthy of exhibiting in any part of the globe. His paintings are of a very high standard and I am hundred per cent certain that he will bring credit to the island. I am proud to say he is one of my pupils."
Francis believes that painting is a visual language, which should be studied incessantly and understood. While talent alone does not suffice to make an outstanding artist, the ability to create and think anew has been the driving force and forte of his artistic work. The Sri Lankan landscape that has captivated him has been portrayed in beautiful and tranquil scenes right across the country, that will enchant any observer. The respondency of village life takes the viewer back to the village. The tropical vegetation, the sea and its balmy beaches give a timeless quality to his paintings. His understanding of the trend in European Art has given a touch of romanticism to his work. His works that carry a distinctive style is evocative and attractive because of their colour and form.
He is indeed an artist with a vision all his own and a calligraphy that is mystically individualistic, with a rare ability to record scenic visions in his works of art. His creations reveal the painter's restless energy and ebullience and shows the appreciation of life's solitude and its boundless beauty. Francis has held many solo exhibitions since his first at Samudra Art Gallery, Colombo in June 1972. They include, Pegasus Reef Hotel, Hendala (1977), Intercontinental Hotel, Colombo (1980), Oberoi Hotel, Colombo (1985), Triton Hotel, Ahungalle (1986), Alliance Francaise, Kandy (1987), National Art Gallery, Colombo (1992) and Alliance Francaise, Colombo (1993). Many of his works of art continue to be exhibited at prestigious hotels in Sri Lanka. They have been a great source of attraction to our foreign visitors and through them many paintings have found their way to the remotest parts of the globe. The letters of commendations have more than re-confirmed his growing fame, as an international artist.
Francis has participated in many overseas exhibitions including the 20th International Prix of Contemporary Art Monte Carlo (1986), Kathmandu International Art Exhibition (1987), Art Festival, Germany (1989). Among the major awards received are the Contemporary Designs Awards presented by the Ceylon Ceramics Corporation (1976), Merit Award for his sculpture "Gypsies" by the National Art Gallery (1970), First Prize for his Water Colour by the Ceylon Society of Arts (1995). The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has included Francis Perera among the list of 20 outstanding artists of Sri Lanka. Excerpts from an article Written by Ravi Deraniyagala. P. M. Sanjeewa Dhammika Anuradha is a young artist, who won the Presidential Award. Anuradha started his painting career from his childhood. He derived much of his inspiration from the beauty and the serenity of the trees, brooks and wildlife surrounding his country home. He is a student of Dharmaraja College, Kandy where he won many prizes for his paintings. Anuradha improved his skills under M. D. S. Gunathilake and Francis Perera. He held his first exhibition at D. S. Senanayake Library, Kandy. Anuradha has participated in many exhibitions. He won a merit award at the Ceylon Society of Arts Islandwide competition in 2000, a merit award at the Royal College Annual Art Competition in 2000, merit recognition at the art competition organized by the Child Rights Group of the Central Province and was highly commended at the Lions Club (306A) Art Competition held in 2001. **** Back **** |
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