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| Sunday, 17 October 2004 |
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by Vimukthi Fernando A serene figure, with a calm and quiet gait. Tall and slender, you meet him down the corridors of Lake House, once in a way. He greets you with a nod, eyes lighting up in a smile. Most of the time, you can see him at his desk, head bent - thoughtful at work.
'Fine Lines' his third solo exhibition will commence at the Alliance Francaise on Friday, October 22, 2004. 'Fine Lines is all about lines, says Tharaswin. An exhibition depicting latent artistic talent which he could not express as a career cartoonist, the drawings are formed with the intention of lighting up dark corners of houses, he adds.
The use of white blank spaces, soft subdued shades and fine lines bring out the subjects of his focus deeply expressive, meaningful and soothing. Devoid of lustre, the works are as imperturbable as the artist himself. They elevate ones mind to reach higher and more tranquil planes. His secret rests in the particular style he employs - inborn, shaped by the skilled freedom of the art masters of Ananda, during the 1970s, and honed through years of experience. "I was interested in art from childhood. At school, I was taught by teachers with talent and honour who never ever tried to ram their styles down my throat. Instead, they taught us the fundamentals - the effects of light and shade, the effect of different colours the correct posture and method of using the easel and brushes," he reminiscences.
A number of his cartoons have been published in international magazines and cartoon collections. His cartoon 'Half of Heaven' depicting woman's everyday life in a man's world won him first place at the International Cartoon Competition in West Germany in 1986.
His recent awards include an honourable mention at the eighth 'International Cartoon Contest' at Haifa, Israel last year (2003). 'Fine Lines' will be open to the public from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. at the Alliance Francaise, No. 10, Barnes Place, Colombo 7, from October 22 to 25. |
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Meaning impregnates each line he draws, the sum total of it bringing
enlightenment to the mind - be it a cartoon, an abstract or an
illustration of a different kind. He is Ruwan Tharaswin, the cartoonist of
our sister paper, Dinamina.
"Lines and colours are what depict the focus of my artistic eye.
That is why some of my figures are only partially drawn. The rest is left
to the imagination of the viewer to encapture and enjoy the way he or she
wishes to. It is not really necessary to picture every little detail in a
work of art," says Tharaswin who thrives on expression.
With obvious talent, he bagged all the prizes for 'art' at Ananda for
twelve consecutive years, from grade one till the time he left school.
Becoming the illustrator of a series of science lessons by the then
physics master of Ananda, for 'Sathuta' an illustrated weekly published by
ANCL, paved his way for an endearing career. Since then, his talent had
been recognised at both local and international levels with many an award
and certificates.
His illustrations won first prize for the 'Best Illustrated Children's
Book' in 1986 and a medal at the 'Noma Concourse International Children's
Books Competition' in Japan in 1991.
