Wonders with sculpture

by K. D. S. W. Kumara

W. Gunasiri, fortunate to be born in the Attanagalle area is an artist in drawing, painting and sculpture.

After his tertiary education, he entered the Government Aesthetic Institution, studied drawing and Painting as a main subject and the art of sculpture as an additional one.

Afterwards, while working at Nawajeewana Cinama Studio, he also worked as Co-Art Director of the films, 'Ekamath Eka Rataka', 'Sirakaruwa', and 'Ma Alayakala Tharuniya' , that were produced in that Art Gallery.

Here, the sculptural work, background drawings which were needed for film backgrounds, were prepared by him.

Then while rendering service in Sri Lanka Art Gallery Ltd, he worked with Indian National Film Directors such as M. Sanjeewa and J. A. Vincent. Also he contributed a lot for the progress here, with providing background drawings, sculptural work and drawing of posters and to prepare the cast of artists' names.

He worked so hard that several moulds used for film production in their initial stages were also turned to sculpture by him. It was something very hard to do. The film production moulds of E. A. P. Films, R. T. Films, R. R. Films, K. K. Films, Ganga Films and Sighagiri Films, were too created by him.

There, he was also offered the post of film scenery exhibitor and he did a yeoman service for the institution in completing the sculptural pieces of art with his own hands.

These pieces of art are 'Muslim Minisa', 'Gamarala', 'Gamamahage' 'Udarata Nettuwa' and 'Dalada Etha'. No doubt, this is unimaginable hard work.

He himself made moulds out of cement and with the help of these moulds, he made ornamental goods too. These productions were done in such a way that someone could keep these ornaments in balance on something, being subjected to swing in the wind, so that it would be a surprise for the onlooker.

In 1980, he was also promoted to the post of Assistant Producer of models in sculpture, painting and drawing and he has served in this position about five years.

After retirement, by utilising his talents further, he not only presented his creations in exhibitions held annually by the Department of Small Industries, but also won awards in the relevant field.

He was awarded a Presidential Award for a sculptural piece of art, done by him in wood.

In the same year, he also succeeded in winning the 'Kalabooshama Award', awarded by the Department of Culture.