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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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by Farah Macan Markar
A versatile guy, Prabath held his second solo art exhibition "In Search Of Hidden Harmony" from 16 to 18 February 2004 at the Wendt art gallery. This was incidentally Prabath's first in Colombo. His previous one being held in the Alliance Francaise Gallery, Kandy, in 2001. "In Search Of Hidden Harmony" displayed 25 of Prabath's paintings in oil and acrylic on canvass. With a combination of the abstract together with figures, the subjects of his art were based on Lord Buddha statues, Sigiri Apsaras and Indian Yakshi paintings. Wanting to show fabric colour mixing, texture and lines, together with traditional south Asian paintings, Prabath says his pictures are modern subjects based on traditional paintings, of which he tries to bring out harmony. Creating his own colour chart, most of the pictures are of earthy colours of brown and green, though there are a few with splashes of bright colour. Says Prabath, this is for bright colours are popular among the people and as a designer he feels it is important to cater to his customers. "The exhibition's the ultimate result of a combination of what I want together with what the people want" he says. Another aspect in Prabath's paintings are its texture. He has used specially created canvass pasted with cloth and plaster of paris, to give it a rough and at times uneven surface, which is directly related to the picture itself. Born on April 8th 1978 in the village of Udugama, Matale, Prabath had his education in St. Thomas College, Matale. Doing bioscience for his ALs, his initial education in art, began with his meeting Swiss artist Radalph Zysset, who taught young art enthusiasts like Prabath the subject, free of charge. Under Zysset's guide, in Matale Prabath developed his talent. It was during this time, Prabath and a group of enthusiast artists like himself formed their own art club, the Matale Art Circle. Coming to the city, however, was what made Prabath's dream come into life. "Out there in the rurals" he says "There is no chance of an artist or designer to be recognized. Coming to Colombo has given me the chance to do something better. To become a good artist and a professional designer". Still is was his upbringing in the village which inspired Prabath the most. A childhood surrounded by mountains, forests, river and mist, developed in him a love for nature, beauty and peace. His earliest piece of lesson on art came from his father, a man whom he describes having an artist's hand. "As a child my father would encourage me to draw, giving me advice on how to improve it. I also had and still have a lot of freedom, due to having open minded parents, which was helpful in developing my creativity". Prabath's also a Naturalist in the Youth Exploration Society and holds the honour of having done the first handpainted poster of Sri Lankan wild flowers. Doing a jewellery designing course in the Gem Institute Prabath went on to win the Golden Award for Jewellery Design, organized by the Export Development Board. Still furthering his talent in art Prabath has done stage drama sets for plays such as the German "Voyzeca" and the "Nathaande Vice" as well as giving a hand in fabric designing and furnishing designing for companies. Prabath is at present doing a fashion designing course in the New York School Of Visual Arts. Designing and art are two different subjects. Yet designing can be applied to art as well as art to design. Says Prabath "A designer must be in touch with the environment and its background, down to even objects. These are what inspires him, through which he later develops his designs. An artist on the other hand is inspired by his own mind, thoughts and feelings. Or he draws things as he sees them". While design is an applied art, art is a classical subject. The most important aspect in designing according to Prabath is having a good presentation and finishing touch. "There are so many aspects to consider when designing something. It has to be practical, flexible and trendy. Art on the other hand can be dreamy, imaginative and unlimited". Among Prabath's hobbies are bonsai, finding new designs and travelling. Having a love for nature and wildlife he loves to travel to Boondala, Sinharaja and Ritigala. With a motto in life, to always try something new, a strong will and determination, Prabath believes in working hard for oneself. "I have worked on the base for my future, in which I hope to be a professional designer and an artist. My work is changing. I haven't settled into any one thing as yet. I hope in time to discover my own style. Slow and steady, I will make it up there". |
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Twenty five year old Prabath Samarasooriya is an artist and a designer.
Having completed his education in jewellery design he is currently doing a
diploma in fashion designing in the New York School Of Visual Arts.
