Unique pencil portraits of Cabinet Ministers at BMICH

by Husna Inayathullah

Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. -Oscar Wilde

Portrait painting is a genre in painting where the intent is to depict the visual appearance of the subject. The term is usually applied to the depiction of human subjects. In addition to painting, portraits can also be made in other media such as etching, lithography, photography, video and digital media.

The term 'portrait painting' can also describe the actual painted portrait. Portraitists may create their work by commission, for public and private people or they may be inspired by admiration or affection for the subject. Portraits are often important state and family records, as well as remembrances. Historically, portrait paintings have primarily attracted the rich and powerful. Over time, however, it became more common for middle-class patrons to commission portraits of their families and colleagues. Today portrait paintings are still commissioned by governments, corporations, groups, clubs and individuals.

Cabinet Ministers

For the first time in Sri Lanka Amathivaru Muhuna Dethi, an exhibition with the portraits of the Cabinet Ministers will be held at the BMICH on November 12 at 4 p.m.

The exhibition is organised by Thilak Kalu Liyanage. It will be open only to the invitees.

Liyanage draws a portrait within 20 minutes. He draws it with a pencil without using an eraser. He said, "I like to do something different and challenging. That is the reason why I selected the politicians for my exhibition. My portraits symbolise that they are the people's representatives. Today people are not much aware of portrait paintings."

"I studied in the commerce stream. Thereafter I joined an advertising agency as a junior commercial artist. I got the opportunity to move with the senior artists and gain experience in the field. I do not have any diplomas or degrees in the art field, but I had a strong determination and courage to become an artist and do something different."

Ability

"I knew that I had the ability to draw from my school days but I could not go deep into art because I was engaged in sports and other extra-curricular activities. In 2012 I was invited by the Chairman of Ninehearts group, Tilak Godamanna for the Book Fair at the BMICH. He asked me to conduct a workshop for children."

"On that day there were no children to conduct the workshop. To pass the time I just selected a child and drew his portrait. That was the first time I drew a portrait and I realised that I had the talent of drawing portraits. For an ordinary person like me it is a challenge to draw portraits of Cabinet Ministers."

"Now it's one and a half years since I started my career as a portraitist. When I started people said it is very challenging and not all that easy. They advised me to give it up. But I knew that this was my field. I will continue to draw portraits as it gives me a lot of satisfaction," Liyanage said.