Colvin Settinayake:

He looks back in anger

If the art of painting were nothing more than the creation of forms and their inter-relation and colouring so as to give the greatest pleasure as many critics believe to be - there would be no particular difficulty in finding a common measure for comparing representational with abstract works. The common measure would, of course, be a 'formal' yardstick to vary the metaphor, a sort of diviner's rod which would enable the wielder of it discover and compare the elements of 'formal beauty' whether in a Rembrandt or a Mondrain.

Should the purpose of painting be to make an appeal exclusively to an aesthetic appetite, as cookery to the appetite for food? That is the crux of the question. For those whose conclusions lead them to give one answer, a canvas painted by Colvin Settinayake and most of his work are an extension of his very inner feelings.

The formal divining rod, whether the subject of a critic's attention happen to be figurative or abstract, is thoroughly useful implement.

About this there cannot be no possible doubt. Yet somehow, even in the most experienced hands, it fails to do more than serve as a very approximate common measure for representational and abstract work of art. Colvin always maintained a style of his own.

Colvin Settinayake

Settinayake was born on December 31, 1944 in Kalutara South. His early education from a village school, ended up at Pothupitiya Maha Vidyalaya sitting for his Advanced Level examination.

He is a self-made artist who has graduated from the great 'Thakshilava' - 'University of Life' like many celebrated painters in the world. The very life of Colvin is a gentle poem of generosity and genius. Yet his life began in a stormy period of the world's history.

He grew up in a generation of blood and thunder of ambition, intolerance, hatred, dishonesty and revenge. But his character remained untainted by the savage stupidities of his age.

He was fortunate in the wholesome and the friendly environment of his home. His keen observation of life and his talent for hitting his targets cleanly and mercilessly with the barbs of satire, in a series of pictures depict everything human beings experience: love, frustration, compassion, hatred and loving kindness. In addition to all these, he has undergone experimentation in the age-old art of batik painting.

These hand-made batiks with intricate colourful designs done by Colvin had their products well placed in the world of fine arts throughout Western capitals. Colvin's creative work does not have entertainment to the viewer but gives a new meaning to problems of life.

Colvin Settinayake continues to record Sri Lankan society. If the world is a mad house, then no one has ever painted it in a truer spirit than Colvin.

They are the ideal subjects for tragedy death, physical suffering, unrequired love - these too are tragic.

He has held a number of art exhibitions in the island. His first exhibition of paintings was held at the Samudra Art Gallery in 1974, followed by another in 1976 at the same venue. He also held exhibitions at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery and in 2002 had his first international exhibition at Mandarin Hotel, Singapore.

Leaving school he joined Mihira newspaper as an illustrator, and later worked in many other newspapers too.

His talents exceeded the brush and pallet and was known as a writer and a poet who contributed articles to various newspapers. He has published a few short story books for children and two books of poetry, and written scripts for stage plays.

Colvin Settinayake has the outstanding degree of craftsmanship and in his abstract work colours stand among the great.

His colours did not shine bright but gave a sober effect to his paintings and depth. Colvin's subject matter has always been the human figure, usually female. His paintings are all human and that is why to this day they are able to arouse a sympathetic response within us.

They represent the aspirations, struggles, dreams, achievements, disappointments, sufferings and above all faith and courage of mankind.

Colvin is married and has two sons. At present, he is attached to the National Council of Arts and Crafts as an adviser on batik designing, and teaches students in Jaffna about batik craft.

Colvin Settinayake remains a protester. His work is uneven, but an artist should be judged by his best works, and most of those referred to here reflect his running theme of protest, and his technical accomplishments.

It is too early to judge what place Colvin will occupy in the world of art.