'Buddha art', a prelude to Vesak

By Kalakeerthi EDWIN ARIYADASA

When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece

- John Ruskin (1819-1900)

A "miracle" is an event, that takes place at the aptest possible moment. On witnessing such an occurrence, one cannot help but wonder, how that kind of eventuality was possible.

The latest collection of artwork by mature and versatile artist Gunasiri Kolambage, will invariably elicit the encomium 'miraculous' as this is a creative array, that is exactly right for this time and place. In his current series of paintings, the central theme is the Supremely Enlightened Buddha.

During the coming Vesak season, the global celebrations of the 2600th anniversary, of the attainment of Enlightenment by ascetic Siddhartha, will reach climactic heights. Given such a sacred context, an exhibition of paintings on the Buddha theme, is unerringly proper at this specific point in time.

Crowning glory

His latest achievement - this scintillating series of portrayals of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha - could very well be characterised as the crowning glory of his long and distinguished artistic career.

Artist Gunasiri Kolambage's gallery of Buddha paintings, gloriously reflects the timeless triumph of the Buddha - the universal spiritual hero.

Encapsulating all the unparalleled virtues and victories of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, the present series of paintings is quite fittingly title "Buddharaja".

The Buddha paintings by artist Gunasiri Kolambage, spell bindingly occupy the interface between the eternal and the temporal - the timeless and the worldly.

Buddha paintings

Over long centuries, multifarious paintings of the Buddha have been done right across the Buddhist lands in the world. The tradition of Buddha paintings, is continued today, without an interruption. But, most of those paintings occur in temples and monasteries.

But, with his series of Buddha paintings, artist Gunasiri Kolambage can transform an art salon, into a sacred shrine.

The dexterity with which artist Gunasiri Kolambage captures the serenity, the compassion, the transcendental presence of the Buddha, will never fail to amaze and move the viewers of this rare array of spiritual paintings.

Although the general theme of the paintings is the Buddha, each work quite deftly portrays an impressive individuality.

Meditative stance

What is unique about the present collection, is the concentrated focussing upon one individual theme. At most exhibitions of art, the display usually presents a variety of themes and subjects. The invariable outcome of this unflagging emphasis, is the persuasion, of the viewer to enter into a meditative stance.

Once you begin to view the Buddha paintings, your attention will never waver. The art is so compelling.

The present collection of works, monumentalises, a life-time of creative discipline. The present collection is, in a way, the culminating point in a dedicated voyage of creative discovery.

He began both his life and creative vocation, in a village. The rural upbringing, in a family background in which deference for indigenous values was built-in, provided young Gunasiri to experiment with art when he was still very young.

Fascinating murals

The village temple, with its fascinating murals, was his first art school.

The traditional painters, who decked the walls of the image-house, encouraged the young artist, in his own way.

As good fortune would have it, an artistically bent bhikkhu took up temporary residence in the village temple. Impressed by the child's feeling for art, the kind bhikkhu guided the boy, with a few initial lessons in art.

The artist's father, was in a manner of speaking - a village aesthete. He held occasional musical parties at home. He had some paintings of Hindu gods and godesses done on the walls of his home.

Endowed with such a rural childhood, it was not much of a task for Gunasiri Kolombage to distinguish himself, as a formal student of art.

Evolution

All the assorted personality ingredients and the later years of highly systematised training cumulatively assisted him to carve out a compelling individual style. Discriminating critics and a wide-swaths of art-overs, determined his eventual evolution into an artist of high stature, occupying a position of prestige in the main - stream of Sri Lankan art.

In well over 50 long years, artist Gunasiri Kolambage has been assiduously pursuing creative excellence. At several important venues both here and abroad his works are on permanent display.

As an artist and sculptor, he has been continuously innovative. His unceasing effort to achieve further refinements, represents his primary personality trait as a significant artist.

Buddharaja series

His current " Buddharaja" series, is admirable not only for its creativity, but also for its master over varying techniques (oil on canvas - digital etc.)

"The Buddharaja" collection, with illuminate the path to the discovery of spiritual depths.

Each work in the present display rates to be a collector's item.

The series of paintings - I firmly believe - should be permanently housed in a gallery, to enable viewers to spend quality hours, in meditative reflection.

Artist Gunasiri Kolambage's "Buddharaja" series, is a profound spiritual discourse, leading to transforming contemplation.