Seen beyond what is shown

Uvindu Illeperuma

Opining that his paintings have no under toned thread of philosophy Dr Jack Kulasinghe who is a veteran painter in a way refuses to reveal what is meant in his paintings. But he says that he has a vision through which his eyes can see more than a normal eye can see from a physical asset.

“I can see something beyond what is shown to me by my eyes. Actually an academic painter should have that quality to see beyond what is shown,” Dr Kulasinghe told in an interview with Daily News.

His newest project which is to come in the offing is an exhibition of paintings which is christened as VISION ‘21. Explaining why he decided such a name he said, “Normally we humans can see any object clearly within 20 feet and 21 is to mean that I went beyond that barometer.”

The exhibition will start on January 6, 2011 and will continuing till January 9 from 9.30 am to 8 pm at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre.

Born in Middeniya in the Hambanthota District Dr Kulasinghe had his secondary education at Middeniya Maha Vidyalaya. Tilted with his ability to appreciate rural environment and his fascination for brush took him on a long journey allowing him the opportunity to reach high professional attainments in his life. He was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy in 1985 from the Academy of Arts and Applied Arts of the University of Sofia, Bulgaria. After his return to Sri Lanka he joined the National Housing, Construction and Urban Development as its design consultant.

“For the project Gam Udawa I designed many structures and models for construction. I worked toohard and I fell ill Though my right hand is not that strong to paint due to Parkinson, I made use of my left hand anyway to quench my thirst for aesthetic feelings,” he said.

To an artist it is unbearable to suppress his feeling within him without giving them an outlet. So that’s why Dr Kulasinghe might have left no stone unturned to reveal his aesthetic vein in the medium of painting. On the other hand, it is a great challenge to a painter to complete his works with water colours as quick as possible before the wet paper gets dried up. It was such a challenge Dr Kulasinghe can pass by despite his illness and the physical weaknesses related to his illness.

So he should be met with commendations of the society since such a society needs a great contribution from its artists.

The people who would like to fancy their minds with painting are invited by Dr Kulasinghe to his exhibition. Definitely his effort will be a success.