Art Preview:

‘Asian Journeys’

Shelagh Goonerwardene

An Exhibition of Paintings by Marie Alles Fernando is to be launched December 16

(Harold Peries Gallery, Lionel Wendt, Col 7) at 6 pm

Exhibition to continue until December 18 from 10 am to 8 pm

As I write this, my gaze is on a picture dominating my sitting room, “An Abstract of Trees” by Marie Alles Fernando.

Trees are among her characteristic themes and she projects their many shapes and forms in her art. There are those with massive trunks and spreading branches that construct different outlines and patterns. Among them a majestic tree that inspires a small wayside shrine to be set up in its shade and protection, a sight often seen along roads in the interior of Sri Lanka. In the present exhibition we see the huge canvas across which the Rain Tree stretches its wondrous limbs. A superb realization of its shower of leaves which appear to evoke rain drops. Always experimenting, to create a fresh ambiance, Marie uses unexpected colours that stir and enrich the imagination. One result is the “Rain Tree”. Done in the gardens of Taj West end Bangalore, India.

Marie travels widely to expand the physical horizons of her art. Her recent visits to China have activated an interest in depicting its different types of landscape where rivers are wide and deep within steeply rising gorges and the mountains climax abruptly in sharp, jagged peaks. Visiting an ancient temple in a Chinese city - Beijing where gold is lavished on its interior and exterior ornamentation, she uses a striking palette to bring its impact to the viewer. A brilliant occasion of a high society wedding is expressed in vivid hues in India. In poignant contrast, two young children sitting together on a step in a street in Nepal provide a study in poverty - the other end of society. This year 2011..... in April she won the nominee award for 'Creative Design' in Dalian, China (at the Fashion Asia Awards Ceremony)

A new element in this exhibition is the artist's diversion into another area of art-pastels. These drawings are effective small works of young women in joyful poses. Again, the colours are bright and refreshing. One of Marie's favourite themes - the lotus - also features in these pastel studies.

As an artist who has pursued her vocation with tireless persistence over many years and held exhibitions in different countries, Marie deserves all the support and appreciation that Sri Lanka's leading landscape painter deserves. I wish her all success and satisfaction in this new exhibition of her work.