Ruwani's many-faceted art

Ruwani Perera will present her second solo exhibition of oil paintings at the Artist's Gallery, 18A Sarasavi Gardens, Nawala Road, Nugegoda from September 7-12. It will be opened today (September 7) at 7 p.m. The exhibition hours are from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Review by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa

The initial response of any spectator at Ruwani Perera's second solo exhibition of art is a deep sense of disturbance. There are some very valid reasons for such an attitude.

The art-lover visiting a display of art, would want to know what its theme is. In most instances, artists present an array of works. The paintings are normally hung to allow the spectator to obtain a notion of the artist's theme and his central concepts.

But the disturbance in the spectator, viewing Ruwani Perera's art, emerging from the non-logical array of work she displays. The spectator cannot identify a particular theme, running through the total exhibition. Her works have a wide range of themes.

In one piece of art on display, she has presented a leopard resting in thicket. This authentic appearance of the leopard is carefully recorded making it a portrait of reality.

In another she depicts the two front paws of the lion, guarding the entrance to the rock-fortress at Sigiriya.

All these paintings, have one particular trait in common. They are all oils. Ruwani possesses a multi-faceted view. She can turn from theme to theme with ease. Her works could be generally described as deriving from nature, since she presents here a whole series of wildlife.

Landscapes too have their place in Ruwani's paintings. She conjures up the allure of her paintings through her meticulous attention to the details in her subject matter.

A haunting work she presents here is that of a castle set in a lush green background. Its reflection is seen in the pond in front of the castle. This is totally uncharacteristic of realist paintings. The "Castle" has appeared entirely from her memory.

Ruwani is quite adept at noticing the telling details of the objects she paints.

These paintings are extremely beautiful. But with all that her personality or her individual vision does not quite come through in these paintings. But she has displayed a tremendous potentiality. If she continues to pursue this art she can make her presence felt significantly. What is quite clearly visible is her outstanding potential as an artist.

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