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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Street Art : One of a kind
by Umangi de Mel
Come the weekend, and Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha in Colombo transforms itself into a world of colour and creation while artists express themselves through the universal language of art. Fiery reds, vivifying the deep sea and the fishermen, crome yellow enhancing features on a woman's torso and verdant greens capturing the rush of water at a river mouth.... It's a world of beautiful contrast done with great expertise on canvas. Dozens of artists exhibit their paintings along Ananda Commaraswamy Mawatha during the weekend. Sanjaya Seneviratne (27), whose main subject at the University is painting, says it's become a mode of communication, "We paint everyday. And it's a different experience painting everyday because we do a lot of experimenting. We never do a painting twice."
Their humble business is done during the weekend. Although they feel bad to make it sound like a mere business, they admit the fact that life's hard otherwise, "this was started about two and a half years back. We don't have funds to hold exhibitions in galleries, but we won't let that bother us. That's the reason why we chose the street to exhibit our paintings. We make sure we don't bring the same painting twice. Actually it's like our goal now, we look forward to coming here during the weekend and exhibiting our work." Using both acrylic and oil paint, they come up with the most wonderful creations. "Our teachers are very happy that we learn a lot by doing this kind of thing," he says. Being the elder brother among four other siblings, Sanjaya says that he's a free man thanks to his paintings. "I feel good, mentally and physically. I'm able to do my own thing, without inhibitions. Painting frees your mind of doubt and danger and gives utmost satisfaction. It's my passion, my mode of expressing myself. People like my paintings and that alone motivates me to do more." Paintings that could decorate the walls of a chateau or a posh mansion, sit in a straight line pleasing the eyes of the beholder. Outdoing one another, these paintings speak volumes for themselves as well as their painter.
Dulakshi Hettiarachchi (26) a visual communication student says she needed money for her studies and she decided to paint as it gave her something more that what was required, in the process, "It actually became a hobby after some time. I found myself more interested in art and painting than my main subjects. I never stopped painting and eventually I kept getting new ideas. She says she always tries to paint stuff that would cater to the upper market". Most of the people especially in Colombo, are into interior decor which motivated me to base my paintings on particular things. Her speciality seems to be female figures. She admits that it's become a good source of income and gives a lot of satisfaction, "It's hard to cope having to do a lot of things at the same time, but I just can't give up on painting. Instead, I've taken it to a more advanced level". Dulakshi says she never gets disheartened if she doesn't earn a cent, "regardless, we keep doing more". Determined to do better, Dulakshi hopes that people will be more educated about art and paintings, in the future. "Some would think it's obscene or vulgar." Hoping to be a good artist, she says paintings puts her in a fine mood, "it's like meditation and always leaves you with a lot of satisfaction". Champa Variyapperuma (28) another student in visual communication and designing says that painting came to her rescue as well. "I used to paint back in school but that ended there. When I came here I found out the subjects I chose were quite costly which eventually pushed are back into painting. I was so happy when I sold my first painting." Champa says she does a lot of figures. Talking about painting, Champa reveals that it takes the pressure and stress off you. "I feel so light-hearted and it's truly fascinating." They claim to have received many invitations from foreigners to hold exhibitions in their countries. Talking through experience, the three of them say a lot of people are aware of their 'interest', "They know where to come, though at the beginning there was no response. There are many obstacles but we'll always come to the street in the weekend." Content about their 'street art' they say it might be a real boost to the industry as well. Neil Kumara, yet another painter who brings down his collection from Negombo during the weekend to exhibit along with many others has been painting from the time he could remember. "With time my interest grew and I took classes under Mr. Malaviarachchi at the Art Gallery. I was the best in the class and seeing my talent, my teacher asked if I'd like to do creative work for an advertising firm. I jumped at the chance and started work there. I wanted to be on my own. I did some billboards on films with Premjayanth but travelling became a problem. So, I started my own business in Negombo in 1998." Another nature lover, Neil does a lot of landscape and claims to have clients from England, France and Holland. Having sold thousands of paintings Neil says he started with oil paint. "But the chemicals were too strong, so I switched to acrylic." He says that he goes places to photograph sceneries before creating his own scenery on canvas, "I take pictures of many things, ranging from animals, buildings, places and people. Then I go home and put everything in one on canvas. I try abstract as well, since the locals now go for abstract". Talking about the weekends, Neil says the 'street' has given him a break to show off his skills to a variety of people who love art, "people like us lack good training and a place to do business but now, both locals and foreigners are able to buy whatever they want. I undertake orders according to their tastes and the size of the walls!" Hoping to conduct classes for youth, Neil says, painting gives him profound satisfaction that couldn't be matched with any other thing in life. |
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Inspired by all sorts of things, Sanjaya says he loves doing landscapes
and human figures nevertheless, he tries his hands on abstract as well, "A
lot of people prefer abstract, we try to cater to a variety of people."
You'd obviously think they deserve a better place than the street, but
at this venue everybody can admire them...It allows even a person who
wouldn't have time, to actually check the gallery for paintings. 
