Local touch for Copper Art
Copper tooling, also known as Repoussage, is the embossing of sheet
metal by hand, to form patterns or pictures, which can then be framed.
The subjects of the pictures to be displayed at the exhibition are drawn
from religious, cultural and historical icons and motifs. Damayanthi
Kottegoda, S. Ratnagopal and their pupils Nelun Gunasekera and Chandani
Jayatilleke will hold an exhibition of handcrafted copper-tooled
pictures, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, on October 17 and 18 from 9
a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kottegoda shared her experiences.
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Copper-tooled creations |
"I learnt copper art as a hobby over 25 years ago in Singapore. My
husband Prof. Kottegoda was then at the University of Singapore, so I
took the opportunity of various extracurricular courses open to families
of faculty members to learn copper tooling. It has been a hobby all
these years and I give my pictures as gifts to friends and relatives on
various occasions."
After her return to Sri Lanka in the late 1980s, Kottegoda taught
copper art to her neighbour S. Ratnagopal.
"Gopal was very keen to learn this art and he picked up the technique
quickly. He does copper tooling regularly and he has improved on the
traditional tools and techniques to expedite the process."
Gopal said:
"Since learning copper art from Kottegoda in the late 80s, I have
continued to make copper tooled pictures and give them as gifts. I also
make pictures for friends at their request."
"Recently we had a couple of new enthusiasts who joined us to learn
this art. While we were working together, we had the idea of holding an
exhibition." explained Kottegoda.
"Now we have a collection of over 100 pictures for the exhibition
with subjects taken from cultural, religious and historical sources. We
invite all art enthusiasts to visit the exhibition." |
