Breathtaking Balgo
Paradox of circles and dots:
Ruwini Jayawardana
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Taking a
closer look |
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Exploring
the ideologies behind the art |
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Visitors
admire the ancient art form |
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Australian
High Commissioner
Kathy Klugman
Pictures by Ruwan de Silva |
The vibrant shades emerging out of the dots, circles and strokes
catapults you back in time. Your mind shifts back to the vivid images
painted by our ancestors on walls of rocks and caves. These Aboriginal
art forms have been practised and preserved for years and is now
recognized as one of Australia’s national treasures.
Around 26 paintings representing ‘a riot of colour and energy’ took
over the JDA Perera Gallery, 46, Horton Place, Colombo 7, on February
15. Titled Balgo: Contemporary Australian Art from the Balgo Hills, the
widely acclaimed touring exhibition was brought to the city by the
Australian High Commission.
A dynamic expression of one of the world’s ancient art forms, Balgo
is a series of stories and traditions on canvas. The art rooted up from
the 1980s Balgo art had come a long way to create awareness about the
country’s indigenous heritage.
The art has strong links with the practices and traditions of the
people. A mixture of the ancient and contemporary art forms, Balgo art
is both abstract yet redolent of landscape, reflecting spiritual as well
as political ideologies. It is paradox which runs in bold, bright and
colourful shades and tells a though provoking story to beholders.
At first glance local art lovers might have a problem grasping the
ideas behind this expressive art form but with a careful study of the
rows of dots and circular brush strokes encompassing the art and reading
the descriptive verses hung besides the paintings, artist enthusiasts
will no problems enjoying the beauty behind Balgo art.
The exhibition is held to coincide with the third anniversary of the
Australian government’s national apology to indigenous people of the
country.
“It is an occasion which turned a new leaf in Australia’s history. It
is moment of righting the wrongs of past. Taking this aspect into
consideration, we hope for genuine reconciliation between communities
within Sri Lanka,” Australian High Commissioner Kathy Klugman said.
Balgo had toured countries like USA, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan,
China, Vietnam, Nepal and India. It will also visit Bangladesh, South
Korea and South America. The exhibition will be showcased in Colombo
till March 2, Monday to friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11
am to 5 pm. Entrance free.
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