Art beyond boundaries
R. S. Karunaratne
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ARTIST: Jayantha Gomes
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ART: Nobody can deny that we are living in the Age of
Globalisation with increased international socio-cultural interaction.
In the post-colonial eras in the Asian region, culture has become a key
concept in determining the various strands of thinking. Although we
cannot envisage a mono-cultural world in our lifetime, cultural
domination by powerful nations appears to be on the increase.
It is against such a background that a Sri Lankan domiciled in
Germany is heading for Mumbai in India to promote something different.
The artist - Jayantha Gomes - initially migrated to Germany to promote
the Buddhist philosophy through his paintings. His depiction of Herman
Hess’s “Siddhartha” took Germany by storm.
He held many exhibitions of paintings in many European cities.
Whenever he came to Sri Lanka on holiday, he never failed to hold an
exhibition of his paintings.
different purpose
Jayantha is back in Sri Lanka for a different purpose. He said he
would be leaving for India shortly to attend an international,
inter-cultural and inter-disciplinary conference to be held at the
University of Mumbai to mark its 150th anniversary celebrations. What is
more, the university is also going to celebrate 93 years of teaching the
German language in Mumbai.
The conference will be a novel experience to Mumbai which can boast
of a cosmopolitan culture. Sri Lanka can be proud to have produced a
true son of the soil who wold join a panel of renowned scholars in the
fields of German language, literature, philosophy, religion, economics,
sociology. fine arts and mass media.
On the eve of his departure for India, Jayantha said he would address
the conference in German, although he had the option of using English.
I hope, he would bring credit to Sri Lanka by speaking on the
function and relevance of aesthetics and arts in the context of
translating cultures.
There will be many others who will air their views on languages,
literatures and media with regard to translating cultures.
In addition to art, Jayantha has tried his hand at writing children’s
books and novels. He has also directed children’s plays in Germany.
Jayantha’s line drawings have appealed to both Sri Lankans and
foreigners. His unique brush strokes and expressions have added a new
dimension to his art.
Being a sensitive artist he collected funds from German well-wishers
to help tsunami victims in his motherland.
He has also taken steps to look after a group of children who have
lost their parents during the tsunami disaster. |
