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| Sunday, 7 November 2004 |
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Artistes communicate in many ways. Singers speak through their lyrics, dancers, their dance while painters speak through their paintings. by Umangi de Mel
"The aim is to create awareness in the country about the many different bird species in Sri Lanka," says 23-year-old HASITHA KUMARADASA speaking of his art exhibition, 'Feathers of Life' through which he hopes to take his very first step as a bird artist. Having tried abstract at first Hasitha found 'birds' more attractive than the former. A painter, from the age of three, Hasitha joined the National Foundation for Child Art in 1996 to improve as a painter. "I learnt more and improved my artistic skills under the guidance of Lionel Ranaweera." During the time he spent at the foundation, Hasitha has been able to send his paintings to international art competitions. As a result he bagged two gold medals and a silver medal at the Annual Nippon Art Exhibition in Japan. "I also got lucky to win a bronze medal at the annual exhibition of the National Foundation for Child Art," Hasitha reveals. Painting for sheer satisfaction Hasitha says that nothing else has brought him more happiness, "It's a mode of communication. My paintings help me express things That can't be expressed in words. Communicating through paper and brushes, Hasitha's only hope is to make his passion towards nature come alive in his paintings. Having a soft corner for wildlife, Hasitha says that nature fascinates him. Taking a break from 'Abstract' he has spent some quality time exploring and bird watching. "Although I was into 'Abstract' earlier, my interest took another path when my fascination with animals started to grow. At the age of 12, I received a book from my father, called 'Field guide to the birds of Ceylon' by G.M. Henry. That was a real turning point where my focus became birds." It was at that time that Hasitha actually considered merging his painting with his life-long hobby 'bird watching'. In the process, he concentrated on painting birds more, to get the hang of it. "It's different from Abstract. And I was faced with the challenge of getting the bird in my paintings to look as natural as possible," he says. For Hasitha there's no other pleasant recreation than watching birds. When most of the guys his age try racing and wind surfing, Hasitha opted to stalk birds and tried to learn more than what meets the eyes. "There are 400 birds species in Sri Lanka who have different plummages. I paint resident, endemic and migrant species," he says. Talking birds and more birds, he points out the fact that they need to be observed carefully. The anatomical characteristics of one species is way different to the other, he says. "It's important that a painter gets it right. Every single detail matters when it comes to sketching birds, its bill, the colour and the shape. I've been bird watching for 10 years and it has been very interesting." Being a die hard bird lover, Hasitha joined the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) in 1994, which is headed by Sarath Kotagama, Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Colombo. Getting a huge break with nature at the FOGSL, Hasitha was able to spend time in the field a lot, observing the slightest movement of birds and doing sketches, "My bird paintings are based on actual sketches that I obtained in the field while bird watching I owe my success to my parents who egged me on from day one. They've done a lot to help me develop my artistic abilities," he says. Hasitha whose father worked for the Wildlife trust, has had many chances to get the real taste of the wild. Having made plenty of trips to Randenigala with his father, Hasitha did most of his bird watching and sketching there. A scholar at Asoka Vidyalaya, Maradana, Hasitha is a final year student at the Informatics Institute of Technology which is affiliated to the Manchester Metropolitan University in UK. On the verge of completing his degree in Business, Hasitha is never too busy to continue what keeps him going, "During my Ordinary Levels and Advanced Levels I had plenty of time to bird watch but during my first two years at the institute, I hardly had any time to paint or go outdoors. But whenever I was free, I made a beeline for the field." Hasitha a passionate artist, says that he has no intention of being a professional artist, "It's not a sufficient source of income in Sri Lanka. It would have been possible had I lived in a foreign country where artists are recognised. Nevertheless, I won't stop painting. I want to be the best recognised bird artist in Sri Lanka." He Speaks of people who've inspired him along the way, "At the time I was into 'Abstract' I admired people like George Keyt and Senaka Senanayake but after I switched to birds, I was influenced by my mentor, Lester Perera, who has more than 25 years of experience in the field. He was the one whose advice helped me develop my own style." 'Feathers of life' will be held on 13th and 14th November at the Lionel Wendt Art gallery. "The exhibition is my dream come true and I owe everything to my parents and people like Lester Perera, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Chairman, Wildlife Heritage Trust and Gihan de Silva Wijeratne, CEO of Jetwing Eco."
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