Kekuli's Art
Just as a child develops and grows; mentally, physically and
emotionally over the course of life, one's state of mind too develops
and continues to grow over time. We are to a great extent the result of
the sum of the collective experiences we have encountered throughout the
journey of life and "Life" as we all know it, is ambiguous, says artist
Kekuli Unamboowe Abeyratne who presents her exhibition this week at the
Lionel Wendt Art Centre.
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Kekuli Unamboowe Abeyratne |
'We are constantly presented with new experiences; some joyous and
some sorrowful. However, what we need to know and understand, and I
emphasize on the latter, is that we cannot pick and choose our
experiences or potential experiences or the lack of certainly preferred
experiences thereof. This is the hard truth. What we can do however is
to gladiate throughout the tough times by being strong and brave. It is
also vital that we deploy appropriate coping strategies to help us face
and overcome the obstacles and challenges that need to be dealt with.
This is essential when travelling through the difficult and sometimes
unpleasant destinations; as I like to call it, throughout the journey of
our lives.
 'On a more positive note however, I think it is equally important if
not even more critical to stay focused throughout our trying times. We
need to take responsibility and we owe it to ourselves and our loved
ones. This is hard and it is easier said than done but it is very
important. It's all about learning to cope, and discovering yourself;
who you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are, what your limits
are and what you're capable of. After all we also need to appreciate,
enjoy and experience some of the beautiful destinations we discover and
travel through.
'This is exactly what my Inaugural exhibition themed, "A Tumultuous
journey to a tranquil state of mind" is about. It signifies two very
important elements. The first being the journey itself: beginning of a
distressed journey that ends well with a tranquil and calm state of mind
and the Second being the end result of being tranquil (A positive state)
itself. It's all about taking your negative; experiences and energy and
turning them into something beautiful and positive.
'In my context the tumultuous journey signifies my state of mind
after the passing of my loving husband, Victor Kapil Abeyratne. I was
obviously, filled with grief, sorrow, pain and so much more emotions
that I have never experienced before. Naturally I was grieving and not
coping very well. It was then that my two daughters encouraged me to
start painting. They were aware that I loved to sketch and draw. This
was of course not a habit but it was random and I used to sketch if and
when I was bored. However, they mentioned to me how beautiful my sketch
work looks and also convinced me that painting itself is a very good
coping mechanism that is therapeutic to say the least.
'It was then that I started to paint (Now since I am aware of it I
can vouch that painting is a form of expressive therapy, it is also like
meditation and it definitely uses one's creative process of painting to
improve one's physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, as it did mine).
Gradually I became more and more involved and focused on my paintings,
it consumed most of my time and I enjoyed it. It was like a form of
meditation. I loved it.
 'Soon I was buying more Art supplies, reading books, trying different
methods and there I was living the life of an artist. I felt calm,
emotionally balanced and above all focused. What fascinated me the most
was the hidden talent that I have been having for decades which I was
not fully aware of. Slowly but surely my family and friends upon viewing
my work (Some of them Architects and interior designers) encouraged and
motivated me to have an exhibition.
'My goal was not to create a masterpiece/s or to have an exhibition
but as it turned out I had enough paintings which I was and I am told
are very beautiful to display (That is of course for my invitees to
decide). However, after much thought I decided to finally have the
exhibition. I guess I have found Art to be my creative outlet as well as
an outlet to de-stress. This is fantastic for me because I am very
passionate about it and it kills two birds with one stone.
'A frequent question I encounter from my viewers is: from who do you
think you have inherited your talent? I think it is from my father. My
father, the late Mr. Terrence Unamboowe, although a lawyer and High
Court Judge was multi talented. He loved the Artistic sphere. He was a
Poet, an Author, Songwriter and Singer. So I guess it has to be from him
without a doubt Kekuli says.
'That said, my Art is mostly Abstract & Abstract Expressionist Art'.
The Exhibition will be held on December 2, 2015, 4-8 pm (Opened to
the public from 6 pm)
& December 3, 2015, 8.30 am - 8pm
at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre,
Guildford Crescent,
Colombo 7.
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