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| Sunday, 19 June 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Reflections
in colour
"Painting is unique, providing an opportunity to the artist, to use colours and imagination to capture the whole world in different perspectives" says Jayani Pinnawala, Sri Lanka's former Deputy Ambassador to Italy, now a full time artist.
"Today I am introduced as a Professional Painter, she says, adding that she has developed her own style of painting, and that she has held a number of painting exhibitions. Always talented, Jayani Pinnawala, gave free rein to her creative flare talents while serving as Deputy Ambassador in Rome, Italy. That was the beginning of her new venture. Though she started painting quite late in life, she achieved success within a few years. The rich culture and art conscious Italians motivated her, to take her art to a higher level. This was achieved when she conducted her first solo painting exhibition in the enchanting surroundings of the famous Isle of Capri. She still recollects how foreigners who visited the island were attracted to her paintings. She also took part in joint exhibitions in Rome. After the completion of her tenure of service in the Embassy, she returned to Sri Lanka and though she held senior positions in the administrative service, as Additional Secretary of Ministry of Samurdhi, Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Tourism and Sports and in the Ministry of Urban Development and Sports, respectively, she continued her interest and continued her painting during her free time. Asked about her continued interest, on painting she says "I am glad that I have been able to pursue my interest and develop my talent without letting it go waste." Though patronising painting exhibitions and encouraging such talented artists is yet to be developed in Sri Lanka, Jayani considers, painting a great challenge, as there are more talented artists in Sri Lanka. "Persistence and devotion does assist you" she says, adding that she had a longing paint 'Dew drops', capturing its beauty, and that when she achieved it, it was a great satisfaction. "The painting I did was a beautiful Rose, with dew drops fallen on it," she says. In all her travel whether, visiting art museums, painting displays, or enjoying the works of well-known artists, she says she makes it a point to study such rich talent put on canvas and this helps her to develop new dimensions in her paintings. It is also interesting, she says, to note how incidents around you could affect a creation of yours. "My painting 'Helplessness' is a good example of how the tsunami devastation influenced me during those awful days we encountered that calamity. I have attempted to portray this sad episode with a painting on 'tsunami' which will remain in my memory for a long time". Jayani says she is fascinated by the productions of painter Thomas Kinkade who does beautiful images using different shades of light. It's quite interesting to see how a painting could change with light, how it could change from day light to dusk and to the darkness of the night. The character of his paintings is 'light', she explains. For Jayani, painting is creativity. One's creativity she believes lies on many factors, the way you live and develop yourself and the essence of heritage as a human being. "Every time you try a new path, invent a new approach, craft a new object, you are rearranging your techniques and capabilities of your life to something new, and that's the essence of creativity. With every creation you light a fresh candle for a darkened world and that in itself is a powerful source of joy for your life. Paintings bring me that joy, the relaxation and peace of mind, she says. Jayani's newest creative flare is painting landscapes. "Through experience I have found out that people of Sri Lanka are fond of landscapes than figures, animals or object paintings. Thus I have concentrated more on vivid landscapes to suit the audience. The 'Old Pettah Market Road' is one of my favourite paintings for this exhibition," she says. Reflection in colour will be held at the Lionel Wendt from June 24 to 26. |
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A Career Officer in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, she served in
many senior positions including Commissioner of Internal Trade and
Additional Secretary of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, before taking
up art. 
