Batik art in furniture

The heritage

Art and the civilization of Sri Lanka have gone hand-in-glove. Over the annals of time - one sees the development, advancement & progressive diversity in all art forms.

History bears witness to this in mute testimony in the form of sculpture, temple paintings and the myriads of artifacts one sees. Time again, with the influence of Indian art form that came with the religion to Sri Lanka - made its statement in terms of colour, shape, medium, form etc.

The art covers making of statues, sculpting, making of monuments, wood carvings, and more ...

A land rich with culture & art - saw every dynasty giving much focus and impetus to the growth & development of what is today a heritage we can be proud of! This becomes evident in the gifts that were lavished and the prominence given to artistes of the time.

There were several categories that were awarded during the most recent dynasty of the Kandyan Era - where-in the throne segmented as craftsman at a commercial level

A workshop for -
Ornamental &
Jewellery making
Crown/s making
Golden Sword making

Throne making (including artistes that handled painting, ivory carvings, wood & others)

These artiste were believed to be born to regions (as it evolved clans developed and mastered a particular skill and past it down traditionally down the generations ... like a well kept secret). Hence naturally a region because the popular place for a specific craftsman. (name the areas???)

Vipula's story

Hailing from such an ancestry of craftsman & artists from the Kandyan Kingdom - was Vipula Dharmawardena. A recorded ancestry of a family of reputed craftsman which he was proud of, was Vipula's great heritage. Vipula Dharmawardena's father himself was a skilled & talent Jeweller, Sculptor .....

Be it in Vipula's very DNA, the fact that grew-up in a home and environment that exalted craft made it deep seated in his veins.

Such being his background, Vipula laboured and excelled in his academics and served in government service in the capacity of a Co-operative Examiner in 1953 armed with his education from Nugawela Vidyalaya, as the demands of his day had a focus or a need for life in the corporate world. The spirit of art in his blood grew restless.

Whilst working he studied western art ... And subsequently moved to an industry closer to 'home' in terms of creativity - journalism.

He studied at Heywood College, enjoyed drama and took to dancing & acting ... all in pursuance of inborn talent and spirit that refused to follow the order of the day: a 'corporate' animal. He had many firsts to his credit due to his fearless attitude to follow his heart and his passion to innovate, create and 'change'.

The biggest of his revolutionary acts came with his skill and talent shown in the art of batik. He shook the world of art locally with his revival and introduction of Batik as statement in art, in fashion, in decor ... and more.

A vision that is to be saluted for a man who lived in an era that didn't provide the exposure of electronic and web mediums... Vipula took Sri Lanka's batik art to Museums of the world, to universities ... to conventions & conferences.

Probably the most travelled artiste of Sri Lanka - he exhibited his work in almost all European countries, in US, the Middle East, South East Asia, Australia ... An unprecedented 33 exhibitions in Europe alone during a short period of time. He has a recorded number of exhibitions in more than ....... countries the world over. His name was synonymous with batik. It was almost generic.

Vipula Dharmawardena's family life was complete with his wife and 5 sons ... some of whom have carried the passion of creativity and coupled them with profitable commercial ventures to make their mark.

The family salutes their father ... and cherish the rich heritage they will carry forth .... and above all the pride they feel in a father who left an indelible mark in world art.

A special introduction of batik art in furniture: is a son's tribute to a father who was legendary in romanticising a local tradition, and taking this art form beyond the borders of Sri Lanka.

Pushpadeva

Pushpadeva Dharmawardena is Vipula's elderst son. He is a garment decorator/printer by profession. Having enjoyed batik and all heritage art from his early years; he presents his ideas in a new medium with his father's influence of art & batik - in this exhibition.

Pushpadeva studied graphic art and printing in the UK ... working with his father subsequently on the several interior projects spear-headed by Vipula; in a newly emerging Sri Lanka at the time ...

Pushpadeva uses the inspiration of varied ages, stages, mediums and art forms ...to create furniture. What started out as a hobby - moved to the commercial industry with furniture that accessorised the hospitality industry ... like his father's most remembered work - the large batiks that hung at the Artrium lobby of the Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Stemming from this source of inspiration - Pushpadeva takes the deja vous concepts and lines of furniture ... and gives colour, texture and idea as a support to interior designers/architects and home decorators to enjoy the heritage and the soul of batik and wood, or other mediums in a rich tapestry of style.

What is unique is that professionals and designers can work with Pushpadeva - where-in he works on a given brief in conjunction with them to produce a synergy of idea & creativity in order to complete a concept/theme in eg.,a hotel, spa. home ... whatever the project may be.

The above furniture is on exhibition today at Gandhara Stafford Avenue Colombo 06