From science graduate to fine arts

For BSc graduate from the Open University, Kumari Pradeepika Perera her latent talent for the arts was exposed because of a wall hanging she did for her house. But she has since come a long way. It became obvious for everyone who visited her place that she had a talent for the arts. Six months later she had started classes at the Ceylon Society of Arts, of which she is now an active member. She was clearly in a different path from which was initially intended for her as a science graduate.

After completing her first year of External Degree on Fine Arts (Image arts, visual art and archaeology), University of Kelaniya, she had her first exhibition - ‘Light of Asia’ for Vesak Poya. Kumari is planning another exhibition of traditional art using a different and novel technique next December at the Wendt. “Since I’m familiar with image art I am planning to do an exhibit in image art” said Kumari. She has many awards to her credit like her special merit award for the Composition, Indian lady, first place for the portrait of a foreigner, special merit award for the painting of three running horses in the category of Wild life, in the category of Landscape (Chinese style) she has won yet another special merit award and a fourth in the category of Modern art (Composition).Her newest endeavour is her sketches in Subhashanaya. She has done 103 sketches and the cover sketch for Piyasena Rathuwithana’s poetry book.

Subhashanaya was launched to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Subhasetha, during which she presented President Mahinda Rajapaksa with a portrait of himself.

“I really admired the fact that he took a stand against terrorism, which has been a bleak part of Sri Lankan life for as long as I can remember. I thought that this was the best way to show my appreciation” said Kumari. Kumari hopes to go international one day in the field of art and thanks Pulasthi Ediriweera, Piyasena Rathuwithana and her first arts teacher Janaka Goonatilleke for her success.