Gallery proves Semage’s uniqueness
A picture says thousand words. You’ll realize this well-known saying
whenever you see a painting done by an artist. Arts and crafts,
contemporary art, art exhibitions, art galleries and now even art fares
are the related phenomena when we discuss about art in our country. Here
art galleries play a major role to promote art among the general public
and private art galleries are common sight in the developed world.
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Semage at the art gallery |
We are fortunate to have such a private art gallery in our country,
which is very popular among both local and foreign art lovers named
‘Semage’s Art Gallery’ formed by an outstanding artist Jayasiri Semage,
which is at No 3, Lilian Avenue, Station Road, Mount Lavinia, situated
in a highly residential area, closer to the country’s main city, Colombo
and walking distance from the well-known Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Semage’s Art Gallery is so unique with compared to those private art
galleries which are in Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, France, Italy or
Germany. Here the viewer has no barriers like seeing certain creations
from a distance, banding photographs or hands free form the exhibits on
display.
Gallery is opened throughout the year, including the Government and
mercantile holidays and this is a place where the viewers can enjoy
their freedom of feeling the art in a calm and quiet atmosphere.
Jayasiri Semage who shot up to the prominence from a humble newspaper
illustrator to veteran painter has made it a point to display most of
his acrylic, water colour and oil on canvas paintings at his art
gallery.
Some of the visitors to the art gallery are Sri Lankans working
abroad. They invariably visit the gallery to purchase their favourite
painters art works. Most of these Sri Lankans buy Semage’s paintings as
they remind of their countries heritage. They appreciate how Semage has
done his paintings showing the Sri Lankan identity with good use of
colours and dexterous brush strokes. Their candid comments can be seen
in the visitors’ book kept at the Semage’s Gallery.
In addition to the regular visitors, many students can be seen
frequently at the gallery as no entrance fee is charged. Jayasiri Semage
attributes his success to his style has attracted many art lovers to the
gallery.
A few months ago Semage held one of his solo exhibitions in Tokyo,
Japan. Also he has exhibited his paintings in many countries around the
world like, Nepal, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand, Malaysia and Finland.
On of his paintings is on permanent display at the United Nations Hall
in Geneva.
Those paintings exhibited in other countries can also be viewed at
this Gallery. What is remarkable is that Semage creates all his
paintings in his gallery. He conducts his classes there as well on
regular basis. As a result many people visit the gallery to see how an
artist finishes his art.
”You can learn a lot by viewing how an artist uses his brush lively
by sitting in an art class. You will find it a new experience to see how
these artists use their brushes, mix colours and finally gives life to
their artwork,” said Jayasiri Semage, turning to give the finishing
touches to one of his latest paintings. PR |
