Uniqueness of Semage's paintings

Ambalangoda is his hometown. The famous Dharmashoka College is his alma mater. It was there he had his first solo exhibition, of course, a long time ago, during his school days. Having seen his potential, his art teachers, M W L De Silva and Bernard Lokuge, insisted that he should have a solo exhibition at the Colombo Art Gallery. So, encouraged by his teachers, still being a school going lad, he had a solo exhibition in Colombo. Since then he has had many solo exhibitions, every two years, in several prestigious art galleries in Colombo.

Those are unforgettable sweet memories for Kalasuri Dr Jayasiri Semage, now he is a world famous artist acclaimed by many art critics across the world. His exhibitions were held in many countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Switzerland, Geneva, Finland and Oman. His exhibitions have generated an interest in Sri Lankan art owing to his admirable representation of the unique identity and the spirit of our tradition. Art lovers of the world have, undoubtedly, taken him as an ambassador of Sri Lankan art. He has come of age, being no longer the school boy artist he was in Ambalangoda.

However, after that first exhibition at Dharmashoka College, he did not have any opportunity of displaying his creations to the citizens of Ambalangoda although the once young boy has grown up to be a master artist winning presidential honours and international awards during the few decades that have gone by thanks to him, his relatives and well-wishers at Ambalangoda, will have in near future, the beneficial opportunity of admiring the creations of their "own man" Jayasiri Semage and experience the aesthetic joy emanating therefore and his name world be admitted to the list of celebrities - scholars, educationists, artists etc. That, in the recent past, have come to call Ambalangoda their home.

Uniqueness of Semage lies in the fact that he has developed a style of his own, not imitating any other, but to be imitated by many others. He has discovered the magic of lines and has become a maestro at it. He has developed a colour scheme unique to himself. It is true that he has remained within the tradition of eastern art that continued from the days of Ajanta and Sigiri. It does not, however, mean that he has imprisoned himself within tradition. On the contrary, he has enjoyed the freedom of a creative artist to develop his own unique mastery over tradition. According to Semage's philosophy, "Tradition should not stagnate. It must progressively develop enriched creativity of different artists." Semage has established his own identity within the tradition to such an extent that even without his signature one can recognize his works. He has not, in fact, hesitated to be influenced from the modern sophisticated art as well. In his 'pot' everything melts into a harmonious, unique and remarkably Sri Lankan blend displaying 'Semageness' in every dot, line, curve and colour. Being romantic and sensitive by nature, Semage usually gets titillated when he sees beauty both in nature and living beings. Romantic themes are more pleasurable and encouraging to him. He frequently portrays love, compassion and joy of innocence in his paintings. He sees life as a light and bright pursuit where joyful experience of beauty is a challenge which he translates into eloquent drawings. In addition to this romantic tendency, his patriotic and philosophical insights are also noticed in most of his paintings. Once he painted the hands that strive to sustain the economy of our country and named it "Rata Rakina Deth". It was selected for permanent exhibition at the main hall of United Nations at Geneva along with the paintings of Michael Angelo, Pablo Picasso and many other world famous artists.

During the long career as an artist, Semage has bagged many national and international awards and honours. Kalabhushana, Kalapathi and Kalakeerthi are some of the highest national titles he was honoured with. He was also awarded Sarvodaya National Honours, Solieus Mendis National Award and International Media Award. Art Council of Sri Lanka has conferred a degree of Kala Acarya (Doctor of Fine Arts) on him. "There is no need for us to ape styles of other countries to impress them when are invited to have exhibitions there. We must show them our art. It is what they are asking for" claims Semage. He has absorbed well what the tradition has given him and added his independent creativity to update and interpret the spirit of that culture. It was in this spirit that he painted the walls and the ceiling of Singapore's largest, Theravada Vihara (Mangala Vihara), which took him a good whole year to complete. The use of fine line drawings and peaceful subdued colours by Semage in painting the Buddhist themes pleased the devotees in Singapore very much. He was recently selected to paint new Sri Lanka Vihara at Lumbini in Nepal, built according to a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. "I will make this challenge to show the world that Ajantha tradition is living, growing yet, transformed which of this. No tradition should stagnate. It should continue to develop progressively," says Semage.

The home town of this famous artist Ambalangoda has not had the fortune of being the venue of a solo exhibition of his work since his school days.

And this exhibition of his oil paintings, water colours and line drawings is therefore timely and will be held at the Thomas De Silva Memorial Hall, Dharmasoka College from September 21 to 24. It would be organized by the Old Sokians Art Circle.

Prof Chandima Wijebandara