Mastering God’s gift
Ishara Jayawardane
Nuwan Thenuwara is a painter who has traveled extensively throughout
the world. He does illustrations, figure drawings, water color
paintings, oil paintings and line drawings. In many ways Nuwan is a man
of mystery. In other words you feel you have only seen the tip of an
iceberg. Daily News spoke to Nuwan on his mysterious experience.
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Nuwan Thenuwara |
Q: What can you tell about your experiences abroad?
A: I have done a lot of paintings. For example when I was in
Oman I did a number of huge paintings. I also did a portrait of the King
of Oman. Because I did his painting I had the chance to meet him. He is
a very nice man.
In those countries they believe that if you are an artist you are
from God. God’s gift. Especially in the Middle East, they have much
respect towards the artist.
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Nuwan’s paintings |
When I was in Saudi Arabia I was the art director of the Ministry of
Defense, Airport and Aviation. My immediate boss was an American. There
were artists of many nationalities there and they said that I had
special talent.
The American guy said that being an artist means you are a son of
God. Art is something unbelievable.
We don’t normally associate Saudi Arabia with nudity. Saudi Arabians
generally don’t like to see nude paintings, but all the top fellows in
Saudi Arabia, they all keep my nude paintings. I did nude paintings very
freely, although it is prohibited. Nothing happened to me.
Q: If you could change one thing about this world, what would
it be?
A: There should be freedom in the country to do anything you
want to do. In our country there is no freedom. That’s why I like
drawing nude paintings. An artist must be able to make a person happy.
Q: If you were given the opportunity to sit down and talk to
any historical figure, who would it be?
A: It would be Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci is rhythmic with
very powerful colours. I like Michael Angelo as well. I’d like to sit
down with all of them.
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Nuwan’s paintings |
Q: What kind of themes do you paint under?
A: I like to draw poverty-stricken people. When you see a poor
person you can see a lot of things about his face. Poorness is very
beautiful.
Q: How many exhibitions have you done?
A: In Sri Lanka I haven’t done anything. But when I was in
Oman I did two exhibitions and when I was in Saudi Arabia I did an
exhibition and one exhibition in Singapore. I have also been to Malaysia
and Belgium. My plan for the future is to have an exhibition in Sri
Lanka before this December.
Q: What makes you enjoy life?
A: I enjoy life with my paintings. I even enjoy my job as a
creative director at an ad agency called Media Vision. Sometimes even if
I get an idea at midnight I start to create that.
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Nuwan’s paintings |
Q: what other interest do you have in life apart from
painting?
A: I am completely involved with my work but I like watching
my sons playing cricket.
Q: Do you feel painting allows you to connect with life? Can
you say something about this connection you have with life?
A: I do a lot of paintings with life drawings that is related
to Sri Lankan life and Sri Lankan life is related to me because I am a
Sri Lankan. Almost 75 percent of my paintings are life drawings.
Q: What were your childhood dreams?
A: There was a time when I wanted to do architecture. From my
school days I could draw. It was a born talent. During my childhood I
was a very playful guy, the only son in my family, I happily did my
studies and everything. |
