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Palitha Lokupothagama |
The Unseen Moon
Exhibiting Palitha Lokupothagama's art :
Dulshani GUNAWARDENA
She is the charming presence in each and every land, every night, for
evermore. Poets sang her glory, her beauty, her charms. Her charm is
never ending, ever changing... Palitha Lokupothagama strives to capture
her never ending, ever changing charms through his exhibition of
paintings: The Unseen Moon.
"Each and every one of us see the moon with our own unique, personal
touch. I tried to capture all this variety when I was painting..."he
explains enthusiastically. Palitha Lokupothagamage's relationship with
the arts is multi dimensional-he is an artist, playwright, dramatist and
teacher. He is the writer of two plays included in Sinhala language
textbooks of the national curriculum: Nelum Kumari in Year four and
Amara Giya Divyaloke in Year seven.
 His
father was a dramatist and it was he who taught the young Palitha the
basics of drawing and painting. Since his schooldays, painting was his
hobby, his passion. He went on to gain a BA in Fine Arts from the
university of Kelaniya. Today, he teaches Drama at Girihulla
Wickramasinghe National School.
He held his first exhibition of paintings during his university days.
However, with his involvement in the sphere of drama, he had to distance
himself from paintings for some time.
He would go on to create many plays, most which received much acclaim
in the Annual Children's Drama Festival. However, he never forgot his
love for painting. Actually, it would help him as a dramatist in various
artistic elements. It would be his passion to art that would help him
win the awards for Best Settings and Best Costume Design in the Annual
Drama Festival. In early 2010 he made his comeback to art with the
exhibition Chande Illan Nathi Budu Haamuduruvo (The Buddha who never
asked for votes).
His primary mediums are acrylic and oil paint on canvas, with focus
mainly on abstract art.
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Palitha’s paintings |
The feedback received motivated him for another exhibition; this time
one that held more of the 'common' touch. Explaining the selection of
his theme he says: "There is a huge gap between art and the ordinary
person. I want to reach the ordinary man, not selective elite. The moon
is a simple, everyday subject with much depth for exploration. I want to
reach the common man of society through my paintings."
Despite a multi dimensional relationship with the arts, Palitha
Lokupothagama is one who received little or none formal training. He had
no teacher, learning by himself, and developing his own ideas and
concepts into colour.
'The Unseen Moon', Palitha Lokupothagama's exhibition will be held
from July 1 to 8 at Mayfield International School, Daluwakotuwa, Negombo.
Entrance is free of charge and several exhibits will be available for
purchase. |
