Royden Gibbs: Painter of modesty
Ishara Jayawardane
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Royden
Gibbs |
Royden Gibbs is an authority on painting. He is an achiever, having
dedicated his entire life to the vocation. Daily News Artscope met this
soft spoken man with a deft for painting. Listening to Royden, all
distractions ceased; I was engrossed in his conversation. Listening to
him talk was quite relaxing.
“I am basically a Sri Lankan painter. I go around the country
painting and lots of places that I have recorded are not there now. This
country is very small and it has so much to offer so much beauty. I want
people in this country to appreciate the beauty they have, without
destroying what is there.” Gibbs said.
From the time he was in school he was involved in art. Starting as a
portrait painter he won many awards from the Ceylon Society of Arts. And
later on he took to advertising, which at that time was very new. But he
didn’t keep away from painting. He didn’t give up his love for painting.
Royden, who also taught painting, carried his equipment with him
everywhere he went.
“Lots of people think I am a watercolourist. It is fast moving but
difficult. If you master painting in watercolors you can do any style of
painting. I want to be a part and parcel of Sri Lanka. I go to places of
interest and I think might be the most well traveled painter having been
to Jaffna as well.” Gibbs added.
Gibbs also quoted John F. Kennedy who once said: It is not what you
get from your country it is what you give back to the country.
“I’m not against actors and actresses and the film industry. But
media have fostered the idea that art is glamorous and they don’t
recognize artists. These actors and actresses make their money and that
is it.
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Scenic
garden |
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Rural Hut |
They retire. We artistes do not retire.” Gibbs pointed out.
Royden Gibbs is one of those old hands who made a name for himself
not by having fame on a platter but actually working hard for it. In his
very own words, he doesn’t believe in shortcuts.
“Anything can inspire me. So many things that inspired me to paint
are now no longer standing. All my paintings are special because they
have been done with a particular place in mind and a certain purpose,”
said Gibbs.
However, as Gibbs mentions, it is immortalized on walls throughout
galleries such as Paris. This effort partly stems from the pride Gibbs
has in this little island country. He says that if people love their
country they will protect it.
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