Sight for wearied soul
Pix and text Amalshan Gunerathne
Even at his old age, Waskaduwe Mahindasagara proved that he has still
not lost his artistic touch, when he recently put some of his unique
works at display in Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. The collection was filled
with vibrant energy and made a very charming appeal to those who visited
the exhibition. Colours and lines have been a means of expression for
Mahinda since early 1960s. The exhibition titled Rekha Dahasak was his
fifth exhibition up to date.
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Pleasing
eve |
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Caught in a
whirlpool |
Unlike many other artists, his works do not revolve around dark,
melancholic and gothic themes. His style is by no means a deep, complex
one. In fact this is not necessarily a bad thing.
The exhibition gave the viewers a chance to get away from the hectic,
competitive life style and enjoy few precious moments trapped in a
multicoloured world filled with vivacious life. His style of art is very
simplistic in nature. This allows even a commoner to enjoy and admire
his works.
Most of his works focus and revolve around Buddhist or historical
themes. Those who visited the exhibition were treated with an exclusive
experience, as he took them on an artistic voyage to the grand days of
past. The paintings which were drawn around Buddhist context brought
much loved fascinating stories to life.
These include the taming of Angulimala, renunciation of Prince
Siduhath, the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Buddha's encounter with
Kisagothami, etc. At the same time, the paintings which depicted the
stories of British rule aroused patriotic feelings in the viewer's
heart.
The exhibition also soothed the wearied souls of the visitors by
treating them with a mesmerizing collection of arts which captured the
rural essence. He is an expert at capturing the real village essence.
Many were charmed by the rural fragrance that seemed to emanate from
some of his lively paintings.
The exhibition portrayed scenes from rural villages, their day to day
life with such vivid detail. Some paintings were truly was very pleasing
to the sore eyes. Mahinda is also good at portraying human anatomy with
precise expertise. It is almost as if they were captured from the camera
eye. His paint brush captured lively portrayals of the rural tribe
leader Tissahamy, Ananda Samarakone and King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.
The portrayals of Tissahamy and Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe stood out of
the rest, because they were not drawn using usual water or oil colours.
Both were drawn using lines. Those paintings showcased his artistic
proficiency to the full.
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