Joyful expressions

by Uma CHANDRASIRI

Twelve students of renowned artist Mrs.Latifa Ismail, will hold an exhibition of paintings titled "Joyful Expressions" with the aim of reaching out and helping " people who are not as lucky as they are", on Saturday Sept. 26 and Sunday 27, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7, from 10 am to 7 pm.

As a mother, it doesn't take a lot to move me to tears. But listening to these children explains why they are passionate about art, the reason for this exhibition, the control I had to exert over the water-works, was immense.

Although all the children are aware of the charity aspect of the exhibition, they are also excited at the prospect of exhibiting their talents to relatives and friends and to see their work displayed on a wall.

Posed with the query, why they love to paint, these kids came up with some wonderful responses; Says Kiran, "Painting makes my imagination go". And Ranul is happy to paint because 'his mind is relaxed when he paints and it gives him a peaceful feeling" Hannah, who finds the freedom painting gives her to be "exhilarating", echoes Ranul's thoughts.

Zainab, loves mixing colours and experimenting with different tools.

She says she enjoys painting "even more than playing outdoors"! "I love to paint because it's fun and exciting"says Mevindu, while Oshana and Thisuri simply feel happy to be able to paint. Purrvaja's interest lies in "finding new colours" while Inesh paints as a hobby and feels that the exhibition is "a beautiful event since all the children worked together." I saw how painting brings out more than inborn creativity in these young artists.

Parami and Kanchini love to gift their work, an act that brings happiness to both the giver and the recipient. Comes a pat response from Kanchini, "I want to be an artist when I grow up, so I have to paint!" As simple as that!

To put the kids and their mothers' thoughts on painting, into a nutshell, these exuberant youngsters are transformed, their minds happy and relaxed, when they sit in front of their easels, and take their brushes to their hands. To this, all the mothers are grateful to the gentle guidance of Mrs. Ismail.

"Joyful Expressions" will feature the paintings of - Hannah Somasundaram - 14 years, Gateway College; Thisuri Samarasinghe - 13 years, Lyceum Int. School, Nugegoda; Talya Cassim - 11 years, Lyceum Int. School, Nugegoda; Inesh Gooneratne - 11 years, S. Thomas' Prep School; Ranul Seneviratne - 10 years, S. Thomas' Prep School; Oshana De Mel - 8 years, Ladies' College; Mevindu Perera - 8 years, Lyceum Int. School, Nugegoda; Purrvaja Jayakumar - 8 years, Hindu Ladies College; Kiran Muthukrishnan - 7 years, Logos College; Colombo 6, Parami Danwatte - 7 years; Musaeus College; Kanchini Chandrasiri - 7 years, Musaeus College.