Soft, yet hard realism...

Tissa Hewavitharana

Artists, it is often said, live in a world of their own, translating dreams on to canvas. But those seeking realism in their works get closer not only to their 'subjects' but also to connoisseurs and admirers alike Jagath Kosmodera is one such artist. The recent art exhibition held at the Lionel Wendt drew hundreds of visitors and lot of appreciation from art lovers and art critics. Jagath has wood connoisseurs with his realistic themes of simple Sri Lankan life and named the exhibition.

Jagath Kosmodera

Thamba Sancharaya (an artist's journey through Sri Lanka.) Not surprisingly the lush foliage and variegated landscape of this island has provided him with abundant inspiration. The event also generated tremendous interest and enthusiasm among art collectors and buyers alike with the rich collection of works offering cornucopia of Sri Lanka's natural beauty and of course its people from all walks of life.

His efforts have paid rich dividends comprising popular scenes ranging from the picturesque landmarks to local customs as wildlife bathing beauties, religious places of interest the 'raban players', and sandy beaches with a tale of the artist ability to translate his thoughts on to canvas.

The techniques used to depict the Sri Lankan setting were excellent. I observed that the artist has taken great pains to travel to and study places of tourist attraction and archaeological interest with a remarkable sense of proportion and balance, the paintings exuded a delicate balance of light and shadow effect highlighting the glory of each subject. Jagath's scenes have the appeal of emphasis on architectural lines and angles combined with faithfulness to reality.

His subtle blues and browns are applied in perfect balance with the warm colours of building exteriors. He says' I go to location itself; I stand and sit and look at sketch, often I take photographs, when I get back to my studio, I work from these images to produce a good painting".

Further he says "My subject matter changes with the environment but my technique has remained much the same". His figures themselves, whether walking alone or in conversation with others, are free and natural, 'podi Hamudurwo', (young monk) 'Yak Natuma (devil dance), thunpath rena (the three elephants), 'the water bearer' girls off to school, 'Bulath Heppuwa (betel leaf holder) 'Boy herding cattle' and bera gurunnanse (master of drums) are some of the outstanding figire drawings done with water-colour on paper. He usually employs dark tones to create strong shadows. This linear work is softly apparent on the figures in the city and rural scenes. His animal paintings stone or brick walls and shore lines with boats attest to this attractions as do his clear skies, convincing reflections and sandy beaches.

The most striking scene was the 'Thambili Welenda (king coconut vendor) Water colour on paper, a vendor on a push bicycle with fruits on either side. He rearches a T junction where a woman vendor with a basket on her head tries to cross the road, a good example of Jagath's drawing with thoughtful skill and versatility. The artist's use of selective bright colours stimulate the viewer. The colours and tones blend into each other with a more lined and opaque appearance, a technique which give more control.

The full richness of mixed medium has been used to good effect. Inspired by the mere simplicities in life and the beauty of the scenic environment around him, Jagath has today carved a niche as one of the most talented artists in this country. His recent exhibition portrays the ability how effectively the textures includes detailed coverage an important artistic skill, yet many artists have difficulty in depicting it realistically without making their paintings look over worked.