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| Sunday, 21 March 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Art an expression of divinity An exhibition as of Mandala paintings by Swiss artist Johanne Frishknecht will take place at the Mount Lavinia Hotel from March 24 to 31.Organised by the Embassy for Switzerland, the event will also include a Mandala workshop on March 27 and 28. Those interested in participating may call the Mt. Lavinia Hotel at 2715221. Media sponsor is the Sunday Observer.
Mandalas are the center point of Johannes Frischkencht's life. Since four decades - as long as he can actually remember - he is drawing and painting his circles, which "guide me and reconnect me with my source", as he says. They are the constant in the many ups and downs of his life, in which he is trying to grasp the infinite, and often confusing, diversity of cultures on our planet, to understand them and convey their message to others. His Mandala paintings are not mere copies or adaptations of eastern originals. They rather express his own desire for unity in a very unusual, powerful manner. Unconventional education
Upon return, he joined the Tibet Institute in Rikon, Switzerland, which is attached to the largest Tibetan monastery in Europe. A cultural bridge builder After completing his degree at the Institute of Cultural Management in Paris, France, and his training as a tour guide by the biggest Swiss tour operator, he set out on many voyages to the East, to learn about Buddhism, and in particular about Tibetan medicine, art and culture. He even became fluent in the use of the Tibetan language, which is a rare phenomenon among Westerners. In the 80s, he started to organize guided tours to Buddhist places of interest in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. And back in Switzerland, he tried to convey the message of his "favourite adopted culture" through exhibitions and cultural events, such as the Great Peace Kalachakra in 1985, which was honoured with the visit of the Dalai Lama. Since 1972 Mandala paintings of Johannes Frischknecht are exhibited throughout Europe. Further to his painting, he has always been interested to introduce other to the art of Mandala composition, and has trained thousands of art lovers in workshops and seminars. The African turn Inspired during his previous marriage to a Senegalese, he started building a cultural center on the outskirts of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Africa, in 1994. Four year later, he migrated from Switzerland to Senegal, where he married again and currently lives with his wife Kinet Sarr. The birth of his fourth daughter, Anais, made him realize that he needs a total overhaul of his life, in order to balance his family's needs with his spiritual and artistic interests. This new orientation triggered an intensive phase of painting, during which he completed over 200 new Mandalas. He also started noting down his experiences and thoughts, which are to be published in 2005, together with reproductions of his paintings, under the title "Mandala and mind Patterns". With this art and philosophy book, he will celebrate 33 years of professional Mandala painting. Sri Lanka - A first Although the artist has travelled extensively, he has never visited Sri Lanka! On this his first visit, he will use the opportunity to become acquainted with the cradle of Theravada Buddhism, Johannes Frischkencht has plans to mount the Adam's Peak, visit the Temple of the Tooth and many other pilgrimage places. He will also look for inspirations for his paintings, and is fascinated in particular with the Moonstone, a Mandala tradition unique to the island. ************** Gallery for Ian Goonetileke Bequest The University of Peradeniya will soon become the home of a magnificent collection of art that includes the works of George Keyt, Richard Gabriel, Ivan Peries, George Claessen, Stanley Kirinde and other eminent artists. This has been made possible through a bequest of over 150 paintings by Ian Goonetileke, Bibliographer and former Librarian of the University. The collection includes 120 paintings by George Keyt. The Peradeniya Alumni have taken the Gallery and Museum of Contemporary Art Project as the major programme for the year 2004-05. The Vice-Chancellor Professor Kapila Goonesekera and the chief guest Professor Arjuna Aluvihare will cut the first sods at the beautiful site behind Jayatilake Hall overlooking the pond on March 28 when the Alumni meet for their annual general meeting and fellowship lunch. Alumni of all vintages including some from the early years of the University of Ceylon as it was first called gather annually in Peradeniya for the Annual General Meeting and Graduates' Day. This year's event begins at 9.30 a.m. in the Arts Theatre. |
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Johannes Frischkencht was born in Fehraltdorf, a small town near
Zurich, Switzerland, in 1956. Following his regular schooling, he pursued
an artistic and spiritual education on his own. He visited the art and
design schools in Zurich and Basel, then travelled to India, to study at
the Library School of Works and Archives in Dharmsala.
