A passion for barks, branches, roots ...

by Umangi de Mel

Fifty-eight year-old Shirley Mervin Derrick Hettiarachchi, was only 16 when he built the ship that won him the first place from the Colombo district at the school jamboree. But fate had other plans for him as he joined the Ports Authority as a clerk at 18 and worked there till 2003. "I quit as an accountant in the special grade.

Although I was doing something totally different as an accountant, I never lost interest in my childhood passion. After quitting work in 2003, I completed my house. Then I had all the time in the world to get back on track."

Shirley takes pride in showing his 'ruk kala' (creative art using barks branches and roots) collection. "My main objective is to improve this form of art without doing any harm to nature. I also do a lot of paintings and murals as well. I've never learnt it as a subject nor did I have a proper training with the tools. I've never even seen an exhibition of 'Ruk kala' but all the items I've made so far have been admired by my family and friends," he gloats.

Shirley has undoubtedly created a most amazing collection of 'Ruk kala' using the barks, branches and roots of Jack, Coffee, Guava, seed tea, 'Wetamara', and 'kebella'.

The furniture's been replaced by a variety of wooden creations including those of animals, abstract, human beings and trees at his place. A craving self-satisfaction and appreciation, he finds it rather difficult to stop what he loves doing. "I've dug, carved and painted till I get the exact shape, I want out of a bark.

I haven't even thought about the bag of money I've spent on the tool set and other things. So far I've done about 450 items and must have spent over Rs. 5 lakhs. It's a lot of hard work and all I need in return is some recognition," Shirley says looking wistful.

He reveals that certain items he has completed took him over six months, "but the satisfaction I get can't be bought. I'm hoping to hold my own exhibition in December at the Lionel Wendt this year. "Mr. and Mrs. Suriyarachchi for whom I am really grateful have always helped

They have encouraged me enough to do this all my life. I only hope I could take this passion of mine to another level by holding my own exhibition later on."