Photographic homage to the sacred Peak
Lockwood’s exhibition runs till June 5:
Uvindu Illeperuma
Invited by the resplendent beauty around Sri Pada Ian Lockwood went
behind his quest for High Range Photography. It is yet an alien concept
for recognition in Sri Lanka. Lockwood could shoot rare scenes any
pilgrim will enjoy but only once in lifetime.
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Sacred
flame |
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Ian Lockwood. Picture by Lalith C
Gamage |
Ian Lockwood moved to Sri Lanka in the wake of Tsunami as a teacher.
His competency for photography led him not only to be a teacher of
environmental science but also a photographer with an aim to roam the
country.
“You may be surprised to hear that I have been to Adam’s Peak 12
times during my six-year stay here. Every time it was a novel
experience. You may ask why my focus is confined to Adam’s Peak. I have
been fascinated by Sri Pada since childhood though I didn’t see it at
the time. My father was born in Sri Lanka and he climbed this sacred
mount of Sri Pada.”
Paths to the Peak is his first photographic exhibition in Sri Lanka
now open at Barefoot Gallery, Colombo 3, till June 5. The exhibition
will invoke your feelings from the deep recesses. The communication of
the images is woven around black and white on purpose.
“Majority of my pictures are in black and white because I think it
has a deeper effect on the viewer.”
Sri Pada becomes a hive of activities during the season and the mount
is usually crowded with people of many races and religions.
Buddhists climb believing in sacred footprint of the Buddha. Muslims
and Christians climb with their respective views. Ian’s objective of
invoking something deeper would mean summoning somewhat adherent
adoration for their own religion or belief.
It is not an exaggeration to say that this exhibition will be an
extraordinary experience for those who believe a certain literature in
the area of photography. Ian’s courage to do something different in
photography should meet our applause since he did a painstaking job to
climb the sacred peak not only during the season but also during the
off-season in the mist and rains.
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below Sri Pada Rathnapura path |
East face
of Sri Pada |
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