Expressions 4 - by Jayantha Silva :

An Exhibition of figurative Art

As a child prodigy Jayantha Silva won many awards in art competitions. In one particular competition, he won the First, Second and Fourth Prizes. He so impressed the judge Mudliyar Amarasekara (one of the most famous Sri Lankan Artists), that he offered Jayantha a one year scholarship to his art school.

Unfortunately, as a child, Jayantha felt that one does not need to learn art formally, and did not take the scholarship a decision he regrets. Once out of school, Jayantha took to commercial art, working for many agencies. He started his own advertising company, in 1981.

Six years ago, at a time when business was depressed, and he had time on his hands, Jayantha decided to return to his childhood love of painting. His first work was a mother and child.

Looking at his finished work, he realized that his talent had not diminished, but blossomed and matured Jayantha would paint to weekends and decided to have an exhibition after about the tenth painting. His first exhibition "Expressions" which was held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery in June 2003, was a resounding success.

He was recognized as an artist of stature, virtually immediately. Professor Ashley Halpe, one of the foremost intellectuals of the country, also commented that Jayantha's talent would enable him to be recognized as a successful artist in a very short time.

The Lighthouse Hotel in Galle, which was impressed with Jayantha's work invited for him to have an exhibition at their hotel gallery in 2002. As a result of this exhibition Jayantha was awarded a prestigious commission by the Tea Board to do a 6x11 painting to be gifted to the Airport and Aviation office in Katunayake which hangs as a reception backdrop in the vicinity.

Jayantha's second exhibition "Expressions 2" was held in June 2004 and his third exhibition "Expressions 3" was held at the Lionel Wendt in May 2005 and his new Exhibition. "Expressions 4" will be held at the National Art Gallery on the 10th, 11th and 12th of August 2007. Jayantha could not exhibit his paintings last year as he travelled to Australia and then to India to promote his work.

Jayantha's style is one of realism as opposed to abstract art. He is a perfectionist who strives for excellence. He attributes his talent to his habit of actively looking at the environment everywhere he goes, and also to his photographic memory which enables him to see something and store it in his mind for recall many months or years later.

He also has the ability to see a finished work, where one would see only a blank canvas. His forte is painting the human figure. Even as a child he loved to paint figures and nudes, at a time when children did not have the access to see such images.

Jayantha feels that anyone can be a good artist, as everyone has good eyesight, muscle control, and the ability to observe and appreciate a subject. He has done over two hundred paintings, of which over 150 have been sold. He enjoys doing paintings, charcoal, pastels and acrylics.

Now at the helm of a 25 year old agency, Jayantha provides his clients with a professional service, spending every spare moment painting on an easel which he keeps in his office. He says that many are going into art as a profession to cater to the growing demand of the public to purchase original art for their domestic corporate locations.