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The world of Arts
Sri Lankan painter in Wales
Gwen Herat
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OIL ON CANVAS: Sails in the rough sea |
ART: South Wales is a beautiful countryside attracting hordes of
visitors for its scenic beauty of Swansea and Mumbles. Some are also
attracted by its rich cultural heritage and they are very proud of their
literary figures and painters in particular.
International artists include Tom Jones, Richard Burton, Catherine
Zeta John among many. But the best-loved literary greets is the poet,
Dylan Thomas who is considered a heart-beat away from William
Shakespeare. His literary gems are often in par with the Bard. As much
as the English are proud of Shakespeare, so are the Welsh.
Dylan Thomas inspired and motivated painters during his time and
still does. So, it is not surprising that Vricky (Warick) Weerakoon
decided to settle down in Swansea, the hub of literary activities in
Swansea. Ricky often visits Mumbles, the Centre for Dylan Thomas works
and find inspiration for his work.
Apart from this, what more does an artist look for? Full of old
castles, the multi-facted changing seasons, winding rivers, thousands of
areas of rich green pasture with castle and sheep grazing in the summer
sun, laughed of children and the blues heavens above the floating white
clouds. These are the inspiration of all painters.
Ricky Weerakoon left for London for studies before the passing of 18
summers. With time and after his studies and work in London, he left for
South Wales to wed the beautiful Lynne Williams and settled with their
only son, Warren.
He retired early from his job because of his back pain and found life
a little boring with nothing much on hand while watching his son grow
up. Gardening was his hobby. All the beautiful flowers and plants he
grew, he wanted them captured on canvas.
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OIL ON CANVAS: Mumbles of Swansea |
So, he developed a great relationship between his canvas and nature.
Meanwhile, Ricky came in contact with some of the leading artists of
Swansea and London who fired his imagination and with loads of talent,
he took up to art classes.
He soon became a fledging artist and found his works displayed at
exhibitions.
He was overwhelmed when a few of his paintings were sold, not so much
for money but for deep satisfaction. With imagination and energy
bouncing his way, Ricky became serious about his hobby. No more was he
bored and presently, he finds little time for leisure.
He paints mostly in soft pastel shades but bursts into a riot of
colour in arabesque when his mood changes.
He prefers oil on canvas most of the time and dabbles with
watercolour and acrylic.
He is participating with many artists at the Swansea Art Society who
held their Summer Exhibition at the Grand Theatre Arts Centre, Swansea
till end of July. There will be a repeat exhibition.
His painting is titled Nile and it was in oil on canvas. Weerakoon is
influenced by nature had her scenery, the setting of the sun dawn he has
captured many times on canvas and one finds a bit of Sri Lankan
influence in the figures therein.
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