Exploring the recesses of nature
Uvindu Illeperuma
Nature is a place where many secrets are concealed. Consuming
nature's fragility for the enjoyment of our inner mind, people are
commissioned to unearth the hidden secrets of the nature. We, people,
are a strand of the nature's web. Being a part of nature it is not that
difficult to feel what it has for us in store.
|
Consy Gunathilake. Picture by Rukmal Gamage |
But few are people in the society who have a quest to entertain the
true essence of nature. Artistes are such a section of people tempted by
nature to find the hidden beauty latent behind it. Consy Gunathilake is
such a personality sought to derive much pleasure by doing her creations
by means of the raw material produced by nature. She is inspired by
nature to be instrumental in introducing a form of art in league with
nature which is called leaf sculpture.
Her making of ornamental items by using dried leafs exemplifies a
talent which seems to be illuminated from her mind's eyes which can
identify an invisible persona. Gunathilake thinks she is covenanted by
nature to reveal the innate beauty to the people who are unable to
fathom.
"I take a great relief by doing theses creation. I engage in my
creation in my leisure time but now I feel it has become one of my part
and parcel. Now my daughter is married and I am somewhat free from
family encumbrance. So I can dedicate a great deal of my time to involve
in creations."
Leaf sculpture is a new form of art which is still not popular within
Sri Lanka. It means sculpturing statue like figures by using dried leafs
and stems.
"This is a form of art which can depict the nature by means of
nature."
Her creativity has already blown trumpeted in other countries also.
Once she could hold an exhibition in Scotland where she could earn much
reputation for her virtuosic creations.
"There is a good valuation in other countries than in Sri Lanka for
theses kind of creations. In fact for Sri Lanka this is a new concept.
But most people cannot allocate a place in their budget to buy our
products. Sri Lankan people in other countries have a good purchasing
capacity since they can amend their budget to allocate money to buy
those things also."
Holding exhibitions requires much money and we cannot find sponsors
to patronize our events. That's why I aim the foreign market. Now I'm
preparing myself to organize an exhibition in Australia. I requested
from the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Aussie to sponsor the event.
I am looking forward till they give me the green light to go there and
show the grandeur of our competency for handicrafts.
Actually hers is a talent which should be met with due recognition.
It is a good trend for others who are enthusiastic on creative woks to
follow. Village damsels, Kanydan dancers, animals made of dried leaf
conveys an unprecedented experience which you never had in your life.
Though Gunathilaka is targeting the people of other countries to market
her products she doesn't forget the proportion of people in Sri Lanka
who loves to have her products as it is shown in her efforts of
constructing a gallery to display her works at her residence in
Katuwawala, Maharagama. |
