Shades of Sri Lankan landscapes and life

Ruwini Jayawardana

ART: An exhibition of water colour paintings by Thamara Damayanthi titled "Tishoba" will be presented at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from November 10 - 12 (9 a.m. - 6 p.m.).

The artist, Thamara, was born in Ingiriya of the Rathnapura district. She had pursued her studies in Nugadanda Maha Vidyalaya, Rathnapura and Sripali Vidyalaya, Horana, before entering the University of Kelaniya to take up her education in Aesthetic studies. She was under the guidance of K. D. Walisinghe and Punyadasa Vithanage during that era.

"It was my mother who had been behind my success. She recognized my talent at an early age, while I was engaged in my primary education," Thamara recalled with deep sentiment. Thamara had served as a designer in a textile factory for two years before taking up teaching as a career.

She had joined Pinnawala Maha Vidyalaya, Balangoda, and Bandaranayake College, Gampaha, as a teacher before taking up on her present post of art teacher for the Advanced level section at Ananda College, Colombo.

Culture

Thamara's work, based on Sri Lankan landscapes and society, is mostly devoted to bringing out the culture and traditions of the country. She takes a subjective view of the world around her and derives inspiration from day-to-day life. Colombo, Galle, Gampaha and Anuradhapura had been some of the areas from which she had derived most of her inspirations.

"Art is a universal language. It is creative when an artist paints a subject with the concern of expressing his or her ideas in brush work," says Thamara.

The term "Thisoba", as explained by the artist, is the short form of "Athi-soba", meaning "of maximum serenity". This is her third exhibition under the same title. The exhibition will be opened by Sisira Kothalawala, the Director General of Rupavahini Corporation. Around 40 water colour paintings will be on display.

Medium

Thamara had succeeded to capture the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka on her canvas. Rocky sites, clusters of trees, religious edifices, dwellings of the villagers by dusty pathways often haunted by domestic animals are found in her portraits.

Why had she preferred to use water colours for her works of art instead of another medium?

"The brush language of water colours enhance the quality of the work. It is the most difficult medium to use as there is little chance for correction. I feel that there is a Western touch linked with mediums such as Oil paints and Acrylic."

On her choice of colours, she says "Purity is essential when using this particular medium. If too much shades are mixed together, then you would not get the results that you intend. The paintings will not give a natural effect. I have made a few changes in my shades to suit the locations that I have chosen for my paintings."

Proper guidance

Thamara stated that her intention in displaying her paintings is to enlighten the art lovers and students on the behaviour of the medium she had chosen for her work. She believes that if one learns to master the art of water coloured sketches, then one is able take up the challenge of being able to take up art in any form of medium.

Having spent many years in the field as a teacher and artist, what does she think of the upcoming young artists of the present generation?

"I have a very positive view towards them as I have been the witness of many of their works. They need proper guidance to progress in this field."

A number of Thamara's students have been the winners of many National and International awards. She has many scholars studying abroad in well known and respected universities like The University of Ravindra Barathi, India.

They have been recognized as those with top grades and one particular student had won the gold medal for the university's best artist in the medium of water colours. Her students at Ananda manage to perform well in their examinations. She is very particular about encouraging them to hold exhibitions.

Art is recognized as a profession as well as an enjoyable past time. However, Thamara points out that the authorities and the media have failed to recognize the value of the art.

Therefore many youngsters who show signs of true talent hesitate to take it up as a career or a subject. "It would do well for the authorities to look into the matter," she says.

Knowledge

In questioning about her future hopes, Thamara expressed her desire to hold many more exhibitions with the aim of providing knowledge to those who are interested in the medium. She has had an immense crowd of art lovers at the previous exhibitions and it was this public response which encouraged her to put up her paintings for display.

"In today's life schedule, it is hard to find time to engage in aesthetic activities. But what I am hinting is that if you have the intention, you should find time. Artists should distribute their work and knowledge by setting up exhibitions. That is the message that I would like to pass on to budding young artists in our society," she commented.

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