Artist Chandana Ranaweera’s ‘Linear Soul’
Edwin Ariyadasa
Incessant soul-searching has always been the hallmark of Artist
Chandana Ranaweera’s, creative exploration of his world. As he evolves,
from one surprising phase to another equally stirring stage, he exhibits
an enormous boldness and a fascinating sense of liberality of
expression.
 He continually yearns towards the upper reaches of experimentation
and innovation. The usage “experimentation”, is associated with Artist
Chandana Ranaweera, as a high tribute to his ever-alert urge for
creative probing.
In consequence, his state of experiencing is always alive and throbs
with spasms of life and energy. When he discovers deeper layers of
significance and implication in his experience of life, a freshness
invariably gushes forth from the depths of his inner soul.
This development constitutes a recurring challenge to the sensitive
artist. With each new phase of experiencing, he has to evolve a
technique, that is quite in keeping with the fresh perception.
The Artist may feel that the traditional paints and brush may not be
quite adequate to articulate his unique way of seeing the world and his
own inner-self.
In recent years, he has opted for a challenging technique - the
utilization of pen and ink for speedy sketching. This is a kind of
pen-and-ink fresco technique, since the artist using that medium cannot
in any way, correct his pen-and-ink linear rapture. The Fresco painter
uses the wet surface for his painting and adeptness and skill ensures
the perfection. Not much room is left for “correcting”, the original
creative gust.
Artist Chandana Ranaweera’s latest creative harvest, has been
gathered primarily in the year 2008.
To those who have memories of his earlier work, this series of 2008,
arrives with a surprising freshness of approach.
A welcome streak of starkness, impresses the viewer. The mature
artist, can evoke a deep response, through the telling retail he
presents, after discarding the elaborate and gothic flourishes, that
marked his work in early stages.
The intriguing piece titled “The Shivalinga Cult,” moves you by the
utter simplicity of what is presented. The few significant “notes” that
contribute the sketch, articulate the enormous depths of the theme.
“Trees II”, is yet another of those memorable sketches, that speak
volumes in an economy of expression. The tentative and whimsical
sketches of trees, allow a world of interpretation.
You may very well ask, ‘Are they agitated?” Do they hold a
conference? Is this a planning session?
The simple sketch transfers a kind of human presence to the trees.
In yet another masterpiece of stark expression, Artist Chandana
Ranaweera captures the soul of the casuarina tree and “Ala” herbna. The
theme is merely hinted at. But, the sketches build in you a perception
of the “life-style”, as it were, of these two forms of plants. The
texture of the simple-looking sketch conveys the reality of the plants,
which even a detailed work may not succeed in communicating.
In some of his sketches, Artist Chandana Ranaweera has a way of
inserting a slight touch of humour without being malicious though. The
Artist, presents a couple of sketches, with gods figuring in them.
In one of those, a devotee lights a votive lamp for a deity. The
worshipper’s devotion is so deep, that, the Artist sees the deity being
personally present behind the lamp stand. The synthesis between reality
and whimsy in this sketch, imparts a new depth to the whole work.
In yet another on the same theme, the deity approaches the lamp
stand, and takes away the lit-lamp, offered by the devotee.
To me what really matters in this kind of sketch is the space it
endows upon the imagination of the viewer.
In the piece titled “The Man with the Trident,” a person-probably a
human or a God - is burdened with several tridents. It could even be
that in the present state of turbulence affecting the world. A divinity
too may find it expedient to be armed with more than one trident
although traditionally he is ready with only one.
The Artist has created a sketch in which a deity comes to worship the
Buddha, bearing the usual items of worship flowers and a lamp.
The piece titled “The Rain and Ocean Waves”, is quite an accomplished
work. The interaction between the rain and the waves is graphically
registered, communicating a sense of continuing movement.
It could very well be that the clouds, engender the drops of rain or
else, the waves fling the droplets of water sky-wards. The piece
possesses, impressive depth and an immediacy of presence.
In a series, that has been created with sustained discipline, the
Artist has produced several pieces of linear patterns. One of those is
titled “Bats.”
The bats seem coagulated lumps of darkness, that have escaped the
rays from the moon and the stars.
As night occurs, such flowers of the day as the Lotuses wither. In
their place the sky is aglow with other flowers, the moon and the stars.
The Artist sees this contrast in his sketch titled.” The star flowers of
the evening.”
The Artist achieves “moonlight” in a monochrome sketch titled
“Moonlight on the Tank-bund”. The ‘feel’ of the “moonlight” is
surprisingly portrayed by the sketch though it is black and white.
The Artist’s deftness, his advanced skill and his impressive talents
are especially seen, in some sketches, in which personalities are
portrayed.
In his series on Flautists,” the keenness of the players is vividly
recorded. The joy they experience and the spirit of challenge, that
prevails among players are recorded with a liveliness and authenticity.
The figures depicted in the piece titled “In the sacred compound of
the stupa,” communicable a contrast. These are tranquil, calm and
subdued. In the sketch titled “Towards The Bodhi Tree,” the admirable
deftness of the artist is impressively present. One can clearly see the
subtle contrast he has been able to sketch, between the live Bo-leaf on
the branch and the dry-seer, Bo leaf lying crumpled on the ground.
His sitar players convey the true spirit of sketching. This,
communicates much more reality both of physique and the spirit, than any
literary portrait could present.
In his latest array of sketches, he makes a significant presence, as
an Artist in pen-and-ink, who is sensitive even about the least detail
of his themes. These simple-seeming sketches are pieces that a
perceptive antic and discriminating viewer should study in-depth. |
