Incomparable artist in S H Sarath
Nipuni Wimalapala
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One of Sarath's paintings Pictures by Sumanachandra
Ariyawansa |
Born in 1947 at Weligama, Matara, S H Sarath is one of the remarkable
painters who emerged in Sri Lanka. His works of art are unique and
extremely meaningful. Sarath belongs to the post-independent generation
of Sri Lankan artists. After completing a five-year course in painting
at the Government School of Fine Arts (1968-1973) he followed post
graduate studies in art at the Silpakon University in Thailand under a
UNESCO fellowship. Thereafter he completed a course in printmaking at
the University of South Australia, Adelaide, in 1995.
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S H Sarath |
Sarath's art is impressive. He reflects thousands of thoughts through
a single painting. Once again he is going to exhibit his talents. The
next painting exhibition of Sarath, Maha Walli Arts Exhibition will be
held at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on October 21, 22 and 23 at 6 pm.
Sarath has come up with a new collection of his paintings which
carries out some provisional social themes and issues. Sarath's drawings
are full of social consciousness, satire, sarcasm, irony and
multi-religious philosophy. Each and every drawing portrays a thematic
content which is very topical. He tries to highlight aspects of the
prevailing society through his paintings. He has held a large number of
both international and local painting exhibitions.
Sarath's international exhibitions
2008 "Life" paintings
- United Nation Office,
Geneva Switzerland.
2008 Expressions of independence Mona Bismarck Foundation - Paris.
2007 Seventh Triennail Mondale - Paris
1995 Asian Watercolours 95 - Bangkok
1983 1986 Asian Biennale - Dhaka
1985 Second Asian Show - Fukoka
1986 Second Segundo Biennale DELA - Havana
Local exhibitions
1974 Oil Paintings and sculpture, first solo exhibition, Lionel Wendt
Art Gallery, Colombo 1974 Traditional and modern oil paintings solo,
ECAPE conference, BMICH Colombo
1982 Peace drawings and Oil Paintings, Solo Lionel Wendt Art Gallery,
Colombo
1990 Paintings and Drawings "To Redeem Man", Solo, Lionel Wendt Art
Gallery
1991 Paintings, selected to represent Sri Lanka at South Asian Art
Exhibition, The National Art Gallery, Colombo.
1994 Paintings, Sri Lankan Painters, Sri Lanka Exhibition and
Convention Centre, Colombo. Apeksha (Hope), exhibition of paintings,
Foyer Gallery, Ottawa, Canada, hosted by Sri lanka High Commission and
Foyer Gallery Artists' association.
2011 Artists Camp and Exhibition of Paintings of the SAARC Region,
organized by SAARC cultural centre, Colombo Sarath's paintings are
unbeatable and have won a large number of awards.
Awards
1970 First prize, Buddhist Art Exhibition sponsored by the All Ceylon
Buddhist Congress, Sri lanka
1971 Prize for oil paintings, Annual Exhibition, Ceylon Society of
Art, Sri Lanka
1971 First prize, Lenin Centenary Exhibition, sponsored by the Soviet
Friendship Society, Sri Lanka
1972 Certificate of Merit for stage design, National Drama Festival,
Sri lanka. 1977 First Prize for oil painting, Annual Exhibition of the
Ceylon Society of Art, Sri Lanka First Prize for stage décor, Ministry
of cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka.
Sarath's inborn talent is marvelous and very unique. His art ranges
from 18th century's traditional Sinhala art as well as those of
contemporary Western art. At the beginning of his career he has worked
as a costume designer and a make-up artist as well.
His artistic talent is incomparable which has made him one of the
outstanding artistes in the country.
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