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| Thursday, 9 December 2004 |
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A myriad of colour An exhibition of paintings by W. A. Ariyasena and his students. (17th-19th Dec. 2004)
The exhibition will be open to the public on the latter three days. To those of you who are familiar with Mr. Ariyasena, who was appointed to the staff of the Government College of Fine Arts and retired in 1985, no doubt you would be aware of his having been awarded the Governor General's Prize in 1956 at the 57th Annual Art Exhibition of the Ceylon Society of Arts for his paintings titled "Red Youth". The same prize was awarded in 1960 at the 63rd annual art exhibition for the painting titled "Where are we". Mr. Ariyasena is the person who designed the Ceylon Government Crest/Seal of State, plus the symbol of authority, the senate mace which is 52 inches and comprises an ivory staff adorned with an assembly of 45 pieces of sterling Silver and 20K Gold.
The exhibition will depict a variety of imagery including landscapes, seascapes, modern art, impressionisms and traditional to non-conventional scenery that is to be expected at any good exhibition under the tutelage of one so remarkably contemporary.
Sughandi takes her inspirations from the beauty of her cultural, aesthetic and inner beliefs. She primes her paintings with layers of primer and begins and adventurous journey by laying out the illusions that she has in her mind. Her works show sparkle and freshness but manage to retain a subtle merging of old and new though the richness for detail is not overlooked. She intends to have exhibitions in other countries as well. Purnima's talents, amongst others which are also of an artistic nature, viz a vis, she is a hairdresser and a TV make-up artiste with diplomas from prestigious institutions in London in both these fields, Purnima likes to extend her creations to collages of fine silks, cottons on painted phantasmagorical magical backgrounds that are of limpid tones and soft hues. She is "Inspirations" her own dressmaking saloon, and her paintings are inspirational too. Both Sughandhi and Purnima along with their teacher have their paintings displayed in very important institutions in Sri Lanka. Deputing under the tutelage of W. A. Ariyasena are new: "painters", Andrea whose mother Lydia Brito Babapulle held the prestigious Kalapathi Award for 50 years of contributions to the Art Society says "she lays no claim to fame." Her forte is in landscapes, seascapes and nature. On seeing her seascapes, one can visualize the rolling movement of the ocean and the flow of water in the still canals. Andrea says she is very happy that some of her paintings have been taken by friends and relatives overseas because they "Liked" them. Brian is a people's person, he also likes ballet and the theatre being a choreographer on several of our local shows. His works are few, however, poignant and memorable, Sandy's paintings are a "mirror of her soul", modern in style and gender, the versatility of Sandy can only be seen to be believed. As an exhibition and from the talents of this very multifaceted group, the exhibition will undoubtedly be a success in the variety of colour, styles and moods that are to be depicted. This will be the third of a series of exhibitions held by the main three artists. The decision to hold another exhibition this year is based on a percentage of any proceeds being given to the Colombo Municipality Program called the Health School Project under the aegis of Zonta Club II. The club has chosen Lumbini Balika Vidyalaya on High Street, Wellawatte which schools 300 girls of which 100 are from two orphanages. The club plans to improve the school environment by building new toilets, a canteen and a playground on the, at present, rubble heap. |
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Produced by Lake House |
W. A. Ariyasena, currently visiting lecturer to the University of
Kelaniya Institute of Aesthetic Studies, will be presenting an exhibition
of paintings with his students Sughandhi Edirisinghe, Purnima Abeyratne
and other deputing artists on the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th of December at
the Lionel Wendt Gallery.
Mr. Ariyasena has designed several stamps from 1954 through to 1962
which grace the collection of the Postal Authorities and are collectors
items though much used, to cite a few, the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike
Commemoration stamp of 1957. The Scouts Golden Anniversary stamp of 1962;
1857-1957 centenary of the Postal Department, The royal visit of 1954,
Freedom from Hunger campaign of 1960. Several of his paintings hang in the
private collection of connoisseurs of Art. His approach to painting is to
let his students speak their souls through their paintings, and on
speaking with his students, they like the freedom of expression to use
their own methods of depiction under the "Master touch".
The mediums will be in watercolour, oils, collages, pastels, pen and
ink, mixed media. I am told on good authority that several new techniques
have been introduced in the creations that are to be displayed.
