Tribute to a graphics genius

Reviewed by Kalakeerthi Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa

“Genius is eternal patience”.
Michelangelo (Universal Genius). (1475-1564)
“Genius is the capacity to see ten things when ordinary men see one”
Ezra Pound (1885-1972)
(US poet)

The exquisite and rare quality, generally described as “genius,” is so elusive that it is difficult to be captured within a ready definition.

But, it has a strange facet to it. When you meet “genius”, you can unerringly appreciate it.

Equally, when you come upon a person possessing this singular gift – a person embodying genius – you can instantly recognise his distinct timbre.

Human life yields a bumper harvest of friendships. The precious compensation we earn in our ephemeral tenure of existence on this planet earth, is the priceless opportunity we gain, to meet men and women who astonishingly personify this rare, benign essence, we generally describe as ‘genius'.

At times, we may discover – if we are fortunate enough – a genius, whose many talents and skills are enriched with a humane touch.

A recent publication, distinguished by an impressive and appealing typographical personality, focuses upon person whose exceptional range of skills, is leavened by a marked streak of humanity.

The humane graphics genius who is celebrated in this publication, is Berty Gunasekera. His works extend along a wide series of creative paths. Though he is known to a vast throng of people in various walks of life, he is not exactly an ultra – high profile personality.

It is intriguing how such a seeming contradiction could come about.

But, the felicitation volume, we focus upon in this instance, makes ample amends. This work, concentrates on this exceptional creative stalwart – Berty Gunasekera, and establishes comprehensively why he so pre-eminently deserves the sobriquet “Humane Graphics Genius.”

The main title of the work translates into English as “Roaming the endless Earth.” The subtitle is explanatory in spirit: “Berty Gunasekera an eternal legend.”

The cover-art depicts Berty Gunasekera, sauntering along, in the shade of an arcade of majestic trees. This in effect, is an indication of his eco-friendly life-style.

The joint editors of this volume – Hemantha Arunasiri and Atula Samarakoon – dutifully elucidate the objective of this work.

According to them, Berty Gunasekera's creative skills, have been displayed through a series of genres – cinema, literature, photography and commercial promotion.

Though all these achievements deserve to be adequately chronicled, the immediate reason for the publication of this felicitation volume, is the need to celebrate his 30th year as professional photographer.

An absorbing prefatory note is contributed by Dr. Michael Fernando, - Berty Gunasekera's contemporary at the Peradeniya University.

This essay recalls the lively cultural and literary discourses, that enlivened the academic regime at that distribution, in their day.

As he sees in hindsight, polemical controversies too figured prominently in their campus routine.

The felicitation volume is structured in two sections. The first segment is slanted primarily towards the narration of Berty Gunasekera's biographical details. Cumulatively, the contributions in this segment indicate quite effectively, the extensive range of influences, that nourished the evolution of this specific individual Berty Gunasekera.

The second segment is devoted to articles that reflect Berty Gunasekera's multiple interests.

What I admire most about the central character of this work is his epic capacity to withstand challenges of life.

He has been able to overcome the multitude of worldly vicissitudes, that assailed and buffeted him – at times relentlessly.

But, his streak of heroism has scored a series of telling triumphs, paving him the way to emerge into the status of a humane graphics genius.

From childhood on, he had met life head-on. The odds, obstacles and impediments in his life's path were many and formidable. With unflagging and unwavering determination as his travelling companion, he plodded along.

In the crucible of excruciating privations his genius flourished. In the midst of all the travails he has relentlessly stuck to a sustaining optimism.

He possessed a built-in sunny-side within him.

The felicitation volume is a remarkable tribute to a man, who unshaken by the fluctuations of life, scaled peaks of genius in his chosen fields.

As a record of that lifer pilgrimage this volume has a special aptness.

The exhibition of Berty Gunasekera's portraits, will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on September 4 at the Lionel Wendt.