Jayantha Thissera:

Modern abstract painter at work

Today extremely individualistic art is almost the rule among serious independent painters all over the world. Following the abstract school of art a ‘self-made’ artist who creates and evolves his own style is Jayantha Thissera.

He was born in Boralesgamuwa, on June 1, 1967. He had his education at the Pepiliyana Sunethra Devi Pirivena. After completing his education he joined the Ceylon Society of Arts as an art instructor and advisor.

He held two art exhibitions organised by the Arts Society in 2002 and 2003 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.

“Art is a meditation a discipline that strengthens character. It helps you to face life's situations creatively,” Jayantha said. Creativity could be the hallmark of his work for the subtlety of his paintings depict chastity in the nudes and violence in the serene atmosphere.

For example, Godura (the victim) resonates the difficulties women have to face in the world. He would run his eye over the dilapidated roofs of the rambling houses, evening stars shining in the sky after sunset, and at the distance the outlines of human forms returning home from the fields are depicted on canvas.

Jayantha is a colourist. He turns dark moody browns and the rigid silver and greens into canary yellow and ultramarine blues according to his own original imagination. The unity of design and colour has been the ultimate goal as a painter. Depth and vision are what his paintings seek following the trend of modern abstract art. His style reflects fundamental feelings of humour and tenderness.

The time tested art form has allowed the artist to create bold eye-catching compositions such as ‘Tea pot’, ‘Lighthouse’, ‘Bowl of fruits’ and the village hunts. His maiden exhibition Theli Thudaka Rahas (the secrets of the paint brush) organised by the Ceylon Society of Arts brought him widespread recognition in Art circles and established himself as a major artist. He is the treasurer of the Ceylon Society of Arts.

In addition, he is the Chairman of the Lion's Club 306-A2 district and art examiner of the Colombo Scouts Movement. Jayantha has opened an art gallery at Moratuwa to assist amateur artists. It is named Sedna. Jayantha Thissera is a multi-talented artist and a professional swimming instructor and works as a technical officer in a leading bank in Colombo.