Devoted to art

Ruwanthi ABEYAKOON

Oppression, of diverse forms, is one of the greatest obstacles to human prosperity and well-being. Oppression alienates humanity against itself in ways that block human progress and makes impossible the coordination of human affairs in an increasingly interdependent age. At a time, when people are caught up in a struggle to overcome oppression, one man devotes his times to picture this calamity faced by humans in the present society.

B Wimalaratne who hails from Kalegana in the Galle District, is involved in painting and sculpture through which he tries to depict human oppression. After obtaining his preliminary education at Piyatissa Maha Vidyalaya, Kalegana, he gained university entrance in 1965. Though he later joined the People's Bank, his passion for arts never died out. Recently, his fifth solo exhibition which displayed 42 oil paintings and some sculptures concluded at the National Art Gallery, Colombo. This week he adorns 'Encounter' to talk about his longstanding struggle with brushes and paint.

Q: How do you describe your talent in arts?

A: Having inborn talents in arts since childhood I found myself always committed to arts. My parents and the background also influenced me to a great extent. I always wanted explore different themes and bring out my emotions in painting.

Q: What was the attitude the society of your time held towards a career in arts?

A: During that time there was no place for aesthetic studies in the society. People dreaded a career in arts. They did not regard painting or sculpture as a profession. That made me join the People's Bank. But I was always interested in arts and wanted to devote myself to my hearts passion. Thus after serving the bank for many years, I refused the extension and retired from the position of Manager, People's Bank, Ratmalana Branch. At present I fully devote my time as a professional artist to paint and hold exhibitions.

Q: How did you use your banking career to sharpen your abilities?

A: Even with a busy career at the bank he was able to hold my first solo exhibition in 1973 at the Samudra Gallery, Colombo. I used every opportunity that came my way to sharpen my abilities while being employed at the bank. I designed most of the cover pages and insides of the magazines and souvenirs published by the bank. When People's Bank constructed its new head office I got a great opportunity to display my skills. Among famous Sri Lankan artists like George Keyt, Senaka Senanayake and Pushpananda Weerasinghe I was also given a floor to adorn with one of my masterpieces. So I created the Kandy Perahara on a 16'x8' mahogany wood panel which to date decorates the seventh floor of the head office.

Q: What inspires you in painting and what themes do your paintings reflect?

A: When you are an artist you cannot do artificial creations. An artist is a very sensitive man. It is not to please people that they paint or do creations. When we live in the society we see certain things which gradually get registered in our subconscious. When we do a creation these incidents or ideas come up.

For instance I have portrayed the girls employed at garment factories. They face tragic situations and they are heavy laden trying to earn a living. You cannot draw them beautifully. The Western woman is more independent and open where as in Asian countries a woman's feelings are hidden. I have tried to address this issue through my painting. I do not see the Asian woman as a happy being.

Most of them face trials and tribulations. Then again my whole theme is not an oppressed human being. There are persons who fight against the barriers and come up in life. My paintings portray them as well. An artist is poised to bring out the realities that he sees in the society.

Q: How do you see yourself as a painter?

A: An artist is a cognist. He intentionally manipulates elements in the art piece with cognitive and hidden metaphors to create a visual puzzle. He is involved in a struggle with colours and brushes. In this struggle, he tries to bring out the hidden truths in the society. I am also caught up in such a struggle as an artist. Pablo Picasso a Spanish painter, draughtsman, and sculptor, one of the most recognized figures in 20th-century art once said 'Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth'. A piece of painting is not what we see on the surface. Reality comes out when you look at the picture and think. The lie or what is the images on the surface paves way to many truths. It is like watching a movie. If it is not a standard movie there is no message for people to take home. But if it is a good one people it will make people think. A message or an incident or an image will take hold of their mind and they will carry it with them.

I always try to have a different approach instead of following the traditional ways of painting. I never paint to sell. The response of the viewer is what matters to me. I want to increase the thinking powers of the society. Of course you need to sell a few paintings to keep the work going. But my paintings are not market oriented. So they are not decorative works.

Q: What are the obstacles you see for younger generation to take up a career in arts?

A: Out of all visual arts, painting gets the least attention and sponsorship. This is not a newly risen problem. I feel there should be a place like Nelum Pokuna for painters as well. The National Art Gallery should be developed further because there is no place for artist to display their works. Facilities in this field are less. If there are enough facilities artists will find a lot of strength to move further and improve their talents. Upcoming artists find it hard to hold exhibitions as the rents are very high. Canvas and the paints are expensive resulting in a high material cost. That is why we see people exhibiting on the streets. There are only limited opportunities for the youngsters involved in painting. If there are ways to assist these upcoming painters they will develop their talents which will in turn benefit the country. They can even be self employed.

Q: Talking about sculpture why did you choose to work with wood?

A: It is rarely that people do sculptures with wood. Mostly metal is used for sculptures. The wood sculptures are also mostly of an abstract nature. I take a lifeless piece of wood and penetrate my emotions into them. I never use titles for my paintings or sculptures. I want the viewer to go to the depths of the creations and decide what it is about. I like the texture, aroma and the colour of wood. Through experience I have developed new techniques of sculpture and new angles in this art. These sculptures are not for the type foreigners seek. It is not the typical wood carving meant for tourists and the commercial market. My sculptures are creations of the mind which depicts man's confrontations and ultimate victory.