Quintessentially Semage

by Wehelle Piyathilake

The exquisite works of Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage was on display at a solo art exhibition at the Buddhist Research Society and Buddhist Library in Singapore from May 31 June 4th. The exhibition was held on the invitation of the Chief Sanghanayake of Singapore, Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dharmaratana Thera.

Napoleon Bonaparte once said.

'A picture is worth a thousand words". Similarly, Dr. Jayasiri Semage's evocative masterpieces are worth a thousand books, especially during Vesak.

Dr. Semage has held many one man exhibitions in many countries across the world during the past two decades. Yet, the Singapore exhibition stands out as quintessentially Semage, because of the subject content - the Buddha's life. For, Semage is not merely a painter, but also a renowned pandal artist and an author of many books.

For the Singapore exhibition he had created 30 water colours and acrylic paintings on the theme Budu Siritha (Buddha's life).

Singaporeans are great lovers of Chinese art and worship the Chinese goddess Tara. Semage had painted the picture of Goddess Tara in the indigenous style of art, but overall he had effective depicted cultural values relating to Buddhist life in Asian countries.