Worlds within worlds

Ishara JAYAWARDANE

Another beautiful creation which looks like an island

There are worlds within this world, doorways that only children have the keys to open. And if fortunate enough, an adult may do so as well. The world of children is a magical place. A place where they visit Neverland in their dreams and visit mermaids fairies and pirates along with Peter Pan. A place where they are untouched by the cynicism and skepticism of the adult world.

It is a fragile world of innocence and the most fascinating place, where only a child may visit and if an adult is fortunate enough, he or she may go back to. Some of us as children read the ultimate fantasy fable, The Never Ending Story, we possessed the keys to that fantasy world called Fantastica and we shared the adventures of one little boy called Bastian. But how many of us can go back to that world?

Noble opportunity

Noeline Fernando is one such person who has such an opportunity.

“I like working with children because they are spontaneous, simple and sincere. They come out with all what their fantasies are. They don’t plan anything. If they like to do something they say ‘auntie can we do this?’ They ask simple questions. They are innocent and honest in their speech. I have a lot of fun working with kids. I really enjoy it,” said Noeline.

Noeline’s fate was decided when she met Cora Abraham. It was then that she discovered her vocation which was Art and through that she discovered herself.

Noeline. Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe

“She (Cora) was a wonderful person, because she gave you freedom. She gave you the opportunity to think for yourself, do things for yourself, discover for yourself, and I did all the subjects I wanted to do - Painting, Art, Pottery which is clay and I also did Batik which is more or less designing. I got a wide knowledge of everything that was happening around. Cora Abraham had of course teachers to teach you, but she gave you a lot of inspiration.

She gave you the best of everything, she would talk to us about things and she was wonderful that way,”

Noeline was with Cora over quite a period, and discovered on her own what a lot Cora Abraham had to give. So the two continued together, student and mentor. Noeline’s whole outlook on life changed during the time she learnt under Cora Abraham. It was like a new chapter opening up. “She gave you so much that you wanted to do. My parents wanted me to do nursing and I got a scholarship to do nursing but I chose art and I never gave it up. And up to date I am very happy about it. Because it has brought me so much satisfaction and I have done so much with kids from all walks of life. I used to teach retarded children, and they are all the same; they are all humble and simple,” said Noeline.

Creating out of nothing

In art there is no need for rich or fabulous things. You can create with nothing: with yoghurt cups or toilet rolls. “So I say be creative, have that creative mind.

That’s why I wanted the schools to come by, because at schools things are so rigid. There are children within my classes who go to very affluent schools and they say they can’t draw. But how can they draw an elephant the way an elephant should be? They are only kids. I simplify it. I say do a big ball and do a small ball. Visualise it.

A wonderful creation of a child who has used products which have been discarded to create a castle out of Yoghurt cups.

The elephant has a big body and a small head with a trunk and four legs. If you come to the exhibition and see their paintings they are like professionals.

They do abstracts. We adults can’t do abstracts. Because we think. But the children are spontaneous,” explained Noeline. Noeline feels that that if you come down to the level of a child and if you are humble and if you talk to them and show that you are loving and that you like to relate to them, you get results. But if you stand on a platform and try to impose yourself on them, then nothing will happen. You have to come down to their level and be friendly with them.

“I have encountered so many different children who are talented in so many different ways. We have to understand the child and pull their talents out. A helping hand makes a huge difference,” stated Noeline.

Noeline’s school has no name, because the school started out in a fun loving way.

Noeline says that in Art, unlike other vocations you don’t need anybody. You can do it all on your own. You can start with nothing. “I used to read a lot but my eyes gave me trouble. I like music.

I love traveling. My art was within me but undiscovered. It was not discovered until I met Cora.

There were times when my father would come and sit and have a chat with her and till eight in the night I was at the Melbourne Art Classes. She talked to my father while I was there working all by myself and she never told me to get up and go. That was her attitude. She knew I had this great passion in me.” concluded Noeline.

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