Paradise redefined
Ishara Jayawardane
Priyantha Udagedara is literally a man of few words yet great works.
He is a man who paints under the theme – Paradise. This is the
predominant theme in his life and paintings. It is what he aspires to
paint, to experience and to tell. Priyantha’s life is centered around
this theme.
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Priyantha |
“This is kind of a long running thing I have been working on this
theme for four, five years now. It is my idea of paradise.” Said
Priyantha.
Priyantha’s idea of paradise is - I daresay something - that cannot
be explained by words. When I asked Priyantha to describe his idea of
paradise this modest man merely smiled and spoke of paradise in terms of
birds, flowers and nature.
Priyantha is the typical painter but to me he is also shrouded in
mystery. There is much to know about this man who is affable and
obliging. He communicates through his paintings. Words are inadequate
because the painter’s paintings, his/her work are worth a thousand
words. The paintings do the talking.
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Rediscovering paradise |
“This is an experimental series. These are collage paintings. This is
part of my PhD. Project. I’ve finished my Masters. I went to England in
2006 to do my masters. My PhD.” Stated Priyantha who studies at the
University of Leeds in London.
“Mine is practice-based doctorate. You have to work as an artist and
your final product will be an exhibition or project show. As an artist I
have to practise as an artist for my PhD So I have to show exhibitions
and my works I have to work on this for four to five years.” explained
Priyantha.
Priyantha has embarked upon this exhibition with blessings of his
professors who offer him support morally and monetarily.
“My PhD title is rediscovering paradise. During the colonial periods
the colonial spoke of Sri Lanka as a paradise. Paradise for me is a nice
place. It is a very peaceful place. If you speak of the Garden of Eden
you get everything there. I am inspired by the colonial artists.”
Pointed Priyantha.
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Traces of empires and capitalist desires |
One of Priyantha’s professors had this to say about his paintings.
“I am seduced by the beauty of these pictures and drawn to look
closer but as I do they reveal a turbulent world constructed from
stories, gods, icons and symbols traces of empires and capitalist
desires. Figures seem cloaked in fictional idealized viewpoints ,
physically trapped in these projections.” Said Dr. Liz Stirling.
“Colonial artists, the first European British artists, they all used
to draw or illustrate birds, flowers jungles and nice things from
nature. I am interested in those kinds of things. I want to bring
elements of nature in my paintings. 100 years ago several travelers from
Europe named Sri Lanka as the Garden of Eden. So we have that kind of
history. It was a totally different experience for them.” pointed out
Priyantha.
“My parents are very supportive. They didn’t ask me to be an engineer
or doctor. I would like to tell young painters coming up to be
individual.” Said Priyantha |
