Expressionist distortions of lines
R.S. Karunaratne
Vincent Van Gogh was one of the pioneers who experimented with
distortions of line and colour after modern art took roots in France in
the 19th century. For that matter, artists in the avant-garde movement
were preoccupied with style how a subject should be painted.
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Lamps, Bo-Leaves and Flowers |
Painters in the late 19th century adopted a diminished concern for
reality and as a result they enjoyed a greater personal freedom of
expression. Gradually their art came to be recognised by the public.
Meanwhile, some painters distorted their line and colour so much that
they were dubbed as ‘wild beasts’.
Chandana Ranaweera does not distort the line like the ‘wild beasts’.
However, his subject matter is extraordinary. As far as I know, Chandana
had no guru. So, he evolved his art the way he wanted untrammelled by
the rigidity of form and conventions. Today he draws and paints whatever
he fancies. He seems to be enjoying his artistic freedom to the full.
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Artist, Chandana Ranaweera |
The exhibits lined up for public viewing are a medley of different
subjects. ‘Worshipping Shiva lingam’ evokes many feelings in the viewer.
Lord Shiva embodies the apparently contradictory aspects of a god of
ascetics and a god of the phallus.
Shiva is also the deity whose phallus (lingam) is the central shrine
of all Shiva temples. Chandana has depicted Shiva lingam flanked by two
women probably seeking the intervention of the god to make them fertile.
In another drawing entitled ‘God worshipping the Buddha’ the artist
reminds the viewer that even gods are venerating the Enlightened One
while people are seeking help from numerous gods.
‘The Buddha among trees’ is a silent tribute to the Great Teacher of
the East who respected the environment in general and trees in
particular. Prince Siddhartha achieved his greatest ambition of his life
under the shade of a Bo tree and He did not forget to pay his gratitude
to it by ‘Animisa Lochana Pooja’.
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Worshipping ‘Sivalinga’ |
Another eye-catching drawing is ‘Bats’. Three big black bats fly in
the night against the starry sky. Nobody knows where they come from or
where they are heading. But bats are lords of the night when other birds
take a much needed rest. Meanwhile, bats are associated with evil
spirits. Some say they are harbingers of death.
‘Lamps, Bo leaves and Flowers’ drawn against a moon-lit night reminds
us of Vesak or Poson festival. Although there are no devotees; lamps. Bo
leaves and flowers are symbolic of their devotion. Chandana’s line
drawings are proportionate and beautiful to look at.
In ‘The Monks’ we see an elderly Bhikkhu and a Samanera (a novice)
walking. The elderly Bhikkhu carries an umbrella to protect himself and
his pupil. It shows the age-old guru-shishya relationship still
preserved in Buddhist temples. The umbrella symbolises the Dhamma that
protects them from the vagaries of life.
‘Coming out of the cave’ is a similar line drawing that shows an
elderly Bhikkhu coming out of a cave with a Samanera. This depicts the
frugal life led by the Bhikkhus. They lead an exemplary life devoid of
comforts enjoyed by their city counterparts. Chandana Ranaweera’s
current exhibition will be another landmark in his chequered career. |
