Semage woos art lovers in Oman

Sri Lanka, with one of the oldest civilisation, has accomplished so many great feats in the way of art. Recently, veteran artist, Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage teamed up with a group of Oman based Sri Lankan professionals for the first ever Sri Lankan art and photography exhibition "Shades of Serendib" which left art lovers spellbound.

Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage with Sayyid Tarik Shahib Bin Taimur Al Said and Ambassador Mahinda Ranaraja at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Semage was the lead artist at the four-day exhibition organised under the auspices of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman. It was inaugurated by Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib bin Taimur Al Said at the Centre for Performing Arts, Al Khuwair. A large number of Sri Lankans and dignitaries including diplomats attended the inaugural ceremony as the exhibition showcased Sri Lankan and Omani art scenes led by Semage and Several Sri Lankan painters and photographers domiciled in the Sultanate.

Paintings on display included those in mediums, such as oil on canvas, cloth on hardboard, pastel, pencil, oil pastel, watercolour, acrylic on wood etc. Photographs on display captured the essence of both countries - Oman and Sri Lanka.

Impressed by the show, Sayyid Tarik said: "The event was very enjoyable and chatting with the featured artist, Semage, was interesting."

Semage was impressed on his maiden visit to Oman. "It feels great to be visiting such a picturesque country like Oman. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the works of Sri Lankan artists residing in Oman. They are really talented". Exhibiting his works in the Middle East for the first time, Semage showed that of all the senses that distinguish man from animal, his excellence at creating works of artistic beauty on canvas, must necessarily be his greatest. Semage's work has a typically Sri Lankan flavour and the style similar to Sigiriya and Ajantha influence. This distinctive quality of his work is the result of his having developed his own creative talents over the years - beginning from the time he was in school playing with paint and brush in between his studies, perhaps out of boredom.

"May be I add my little extra to give it my own style" he says. On his visit to Oman he only brought paintings depicting Sri Lankan village and lifestyle, labour, fishing folk and village love. "I prefer drawing women and as an artist I find the female figure very appealing. Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the Sultanate Mahinda Ranaraja, thanked Mr. Semage for his visit to the Sultanate.

"The exhibition of Sri Lankan and Omani art scenes has definitely helped to boost the enthusiasm and courage of Sri Lankan artistists in the Sultanate." he said and has promised to organise more such events in the future.