Living Canvas 2007

One would want to call it an unusual show of paintings. But that is what made the show so unique. A show of paintings that moved about making it possible for the viewer to explore all aspects of the work of art he was viewing rather than vis-a-versa.

by Prasad Abu Bakr

It was one of its kind which made the Grand Ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel come alive as never before. Kasthamandap Art Studio of Nepal and Sri Lankan Artist Deneth Piumakshi jointly made it all happen, bring to life creations from the world of art, some by known masters and others by contemporary artist from both here and Nepal.

From Nepal there was Asha R. Dangol, Bhairaj Maharajan, Erina Tamarkar, Binod Pradhan, Pradip Bajracharya, Pramila Bajracharya and Sunila Bajracharya and from Sri Lanka Dilakshi Wagasinghe, Deneth Piumakshi, Namal Avanti Jayasinghe, Pala Potupitiya, Ruwani Jayaratna, Manori Pathirana and Nayananda Gunasekara.

All 14 artists from both countries excelled in their creative exercises and it was obvious that there was a lot of harmony and warmth in what ultimately had resulted in some sort of team work that went on during the creative period that these artists spent together.

It is not only the artist concerned that need to be praised but the models that 'preformed wearing those creations'. Models Ahalya Satkunaratnam, Kathleen Fox, Tracy Wise (USA), Camille Bargain, Vanessa Missmahl (France), Dimuthu Manikpurage, Gunendri Kalamulla, Michelle Jayasinghe, Olu Erica (Sri Lanka), Gbialy Sandrine (Ivory Coast), Jacobo Quintanilla (Spain), Milindi Illangasinghe (Australia) and Omini Ekpe of Nigeria, all contributed largely to make the show a success.

But the highlight of the evening was the fabulous musical performances by Binod Katuwal and Kichaa Man Chtrakar of Nepal and Pabalu Wijegoonawardane of Sri Lanka.

As you see in these pictures, the show consisted of these eye catching creative pieces worn on the human form, instead of being hung on the walls as usual.