Janaka Mahesh Gamage: Painter with versatility as his middle name

Painters differ widely in the degree of their versatility. They differ too in the variety of their development of the medium, technique, love for nature and environment.

Among the painters who are the subject of these studies are those who show a versatility, modest in its range compared with that of great masters.

So far the youngest of the series in my interviews is Janaka Mahesh Gamage. He dabbles in every medium, oil, pastel, watercolour, acrylic and sculpting. Above all, it taught him how not to imitate or interpret nature, but to create forms based upon a range of carefully selected natural shapes and to endow them through his art.

He was born on May 11, 1985 in the village of Palliyapitiya in Divulapitiya.

Once you reach Palliyapitiya and proceed along the rough road you enter the village bubbling with scenic beauty that had made a great impact on Gamage’s life as a painter.

His father N.G. Manosinha is a carpenter. His creations turned out of softwood had intricate designs.

Janaka Mahesh Gamage

One of his paintings

His wood carvings influenced Gamage to transform images into beauty. From his father he learned how to design and create brilliant art work. At Dunagaha Ranasinghe Maha Vidyalaya he met the reputed art teacher D.M. Samarakone and learnt the basic techniques in drawing, painting and sculpting. While studying in school, his natural gift for art helped him to create designs with Gokkola and wood. His nimble fingers worked expertly creating works of art.

Talents

His guru Samarakone lent him a paternal hand in moulding young Gamage to improve his artistic talents and reach greater heights in the field of art.

After his O’Level examination he was admitted to Divulapitiya Gnanodaya Madya Maha Vidyalaya where he learnt pastel work, sculpture and paintings. In 2007, he joined “Kajugama Anura Nikethanaya where he came under the tutelage of prominent art teachers who taught him the rudiments of traditional art, painting, sculpture, wood carving, poster designing, water-colour and pastel work.

Murals

As time passed he was commissioned to decorate newly built houses with murals.
As the years advanced he created beauty on canvas while his art kept on expanding.

His outstanding asset as a painter is his dedication to his work. His latest work titled ‘Sunlight’ (oil on canvas) ‘Stables’ and beautiful landscapes have brought him fame. His robust colours and irregular rhythms can be seen in all his work.

In 2011 he entered the University of Visual Arts, Kelaniya and obtained the BA Degree. After leaving the university he opened art centres at Negombo, Minuwangoda and Dunagaha to teach young children the art of drawing, painting and sculpture. He has served in many schools as an art teacher until he got a permanent appointment in 2012 at Loyola College, Negombo.

Gamage has participated in many group art exhibitions and won awards. Being an extremely versatile painter his works speak of his special skills also as a pandal artist. He also excels in temple murals. Apart from proving his ability in creativity Gamage has turned his hand to another branch of art, writing. He has published a book on art for schoolchildren and distributed it free.