Season of the Painter

Ishara JAYAWARDANE

A Perahara by Gayan Madhuranga. Pictures by Nissanka Wijerathne

Painting by Asaj Perera – The Splendid Ocean

He comes to Vihara Maha Devi park every Saturday or Sunday proudly carrying his paintings. They are the result of labour, the labour of love. All around a section of Vihara Maha Devi park there is a buzz of excitement. Painters displaying their colourful paintings like daffodils in a park. A splash of colour like the sunrise or the sunset, it is the beginning of the painters' day.

"We are always here. This is our job. There are about 54 artists here and most of them are here on Saturday and Sunday. We are doing this on a small scale rather than going to galleries. Some days there is business and on other days business is not that great" said 21 year old Gayan Madhuranga

"We display this stuff normally on weekends. The season is not over yet and this is usually the best part of the year and people buy these paintings as gifts and decorate their houses especially in Colombo. That is why I am here. However this season sales have taken a dip and I cannot be satisfied when it comes to the financial side unlike the earlier seasons.

I find that tourists are attracted to uniqueness and anything that has to do with Sri Lankan culture. These paintings are very memorable. There are also local customers in Sri Lanka who buy these paintings. I love to be innovative" said Asaj Perera.

Perera said that they receive support from the government in the form of non interference as they are given freedom to display their paintings. Perera also mentioned that they struggle during the off season which makes the time they have on their hands most valuable. The off season falls from February to June or July. Perera has been in this vocation for almost five years now.

Asaj Perera

Gayan Madhuranga in front of one of his paintings

Having lots of experience, his mind has been sharpened to the point of a brush and he is able to produce outstanding paintings. A man who believes in hard work Perera is very much the professional. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of the bag Perera has plans for an exhibition. Herath, another painter at Vihara Maha Devi Park was not quite sure if this art display could be called a success. He said the reason he does not display his paintings at Lionel Wendt or any other art gallery is because he does not have the financial means. To have an exhibition at Lionel Wendt is a risk as he might not get back the money he invests. Like Perera, Herath values the freedom that is given to them.

"I am disappointed when it comes to sales. The sales have not been good and it is not a happy story. There is uncertainty and no sign of stability. Even with tourists it is different from last time. Not many pay attention to our paintings. Those days sales were better" said Herath.