Seevali Illangasinghe's exhibition of paintings October 27 to November 5:

Encountering the local Gogaan

Being an eminent visual artist for over four decades, Seevali Illangasinghe has been marking one aspects of art in Sri Lanka art history. In this era, experiencing expansion and change in the visual art stream, he is trying to build up a novel concept through his paintings while preserving his identity.

His own 'imaginary rustic background' emerges out of his roots in his remote, native village. It lays the foundation for his works. He believes that an artist recreates his experiences related to his living background in the form of creations. As a result of this concept creations as well as tastes differ from one artist to another.

Seevali leaves his land without any certainty of his nature of work but with his rustic concepts. His journey from 'Seevalipura' (village situated in Anuradhapura) to Colombo, with the intention of stabilizing himself in the art stream, is a very apt instance for an apprentice who wish to succeed. He had benefitted tremendously out of his company with Shehsa Palihakkara and Somabandhu Widyapathy.

As Seevali indicates, academic knowledge does not play a significant role in building up an accomplished artist. Therefore he gives it less consideration. To him art is a research and an artist is a researcher. Seevali points out that an artist should obey the teacher but should avoid imitation, convention and should experiment new aspects of art using his gift to paint.

It paved way for him to organize international art exhibitions. He holds exhibitions not only in Sri Lanka but in countries like France, America, Britain, Australia and many more countries. Thus many international art enthusiasts have experienced his 'rustic flavour'.

At times his work embodies rough colours of the harsh land in his native village and sometimes, bright colours of saplings enjoying rain drops. This feature in his paintings often reflects some of the most famous artists' works like Paul Gogaan's and Modigliaani's.

In the midst of various experimentations of art and multi-talented artists in the world, Seevali emerges as a novel figure of Gogaan when he extends his journey upto international level to gain more and more experiences of universal art.

However Seevali reveals that he went on search of Gogaan, only when he heard of him. When he arrives at 'Thahiti' island which grabbed Gogaans' attention, he notices the similarity in climate, environment etc, between this beautiful island and Sri Lanka. This similarity may be the reason that Gogaan emerges through Seevali and for him to be proclaimed as the Sri Lankan Gogaan.

However he is satisfied with his creations. He believes that, all these concepts and opinions will vanish soon after his death but, the remembrance of his contribution to world art will remain among people forever. His only hope is to create more and more paintings which will arrest the attention of art lovers from all corners of the globe.

Seevali's latest collection of art will be displayed at the Gallery Art way from October 27 to November 5 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition titled 'Seevali' will open on October 26 at 5.30 p.m. in the presence of Tourism Minister Nandana Gunathilake.