‘Expressions’ through art
Ruwini Jayawardana
Art can mean different things to different individuals. For some it
is a means of unravelling ones inner thoughts while for others it has a
soothing quality. In artist Jayantha Silva’s case it is a form of
conveying a message born in the depth of his mind.
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Gossip |
Curious |
“Most people express their emotions through facial expressions but in
my case I can interpret their moods and facial features through their
body parts like the hands,” he said while displaying an image titled
‘Gossip’. This particular image shows a woman from behind, one hand
resting on her hip. With more then 10 years of experience with art
Jayantha is a living example that you do not need academic training to
be a gifted artist. His talent, he says, is inborn and had been in his
blood even after he had taken a short break after school to venture into
advertising.
“I wished to make it my main profession but many related that it is
not profitable. Once I got into advertising I was not able to work at
the easel for 20 years.
When I finally took to drawing again I was amazed that I still had
the knack to draw beautifully,” revealed the old boy of St. Peter’s
College who had won many accolades during his school days.
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Jayantha’s exhibitions |
* Expressions
at Lionel Wendt in 2003
* Expressions 2 at Lionel Wendt in 2004
* Expressions 3 at Lionel Wendt in 2005
* Sydney and Gold Coast, Australia, in 2005
* New Delhi, India, in 2006
* Expressions 4 at National Art Gallery in 2007
* Expressions 5 at La Rambla fine dining restaurant in 2008
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He says that fragments of images which have taken shape on canvas had
been in his mind for some time. For example an image of a vegetable
seller that he had drawn is actually someone whom he had identified at a
local vegetable market.
“Another viewer noted one of my paintings and questioned me about it.
He said that he was familiar with the image and linked it with a scene
from Swan Lake.
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Jayantha Silva |
“It was only then that I too realized the relationship between my
drawing and the ballet,” he said adding that Swan Lake had been one of
the most captivating piece of art he had come across in his childhood.
Speaking on the specialty of his latest exhibition ‘Expressions 6’ which
will unfurl at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on March 20 and 21 Jayantha said
that some wildlife images had been included in the exhibition.
“Some wildlife artists were present at my last exhibition and made an
appeal for me to try my hand at drawing wildlife. There are also a
number of paintings with religious themes. I mostly do figurative art.
|
Gypsy |
Gandhi |
The human figure and face has volumes of expressions to relate,” he
noted adding that he needs a tranquil atmosphere to paint.
“Some of the portraits are sketched while observing images. I have
drawn several portraits of Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi and sold
well at the exhibitions.
It goes to show that there are many who are fond of these iconic
figures from history,” he added.
Another aspect that he had inspired him is the elimination of
terrorism. Jayantha had sketched several images related to the subject
with happy faces, hopeful smiles and joyous cheer reflecting a better
future for the country.
He had even drawn a black and white portrait of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa which he gifted to the President in November last year.
‘Expressions 6’ includes coloured and black and white images painted
out of acrylics, charcoals and pastels. The opening ceremony will take
place on March 19 at 6 p.m. |
