Mirror, jute and simple art
In the good old days, people tended to be superstitious about mirrors.
In fact, few disbelieved the adage that if you broke a mirror, you were
in for seven years bad luck. And if you too are wary of how you handle
mirrors, then meet Maheshi Munasinghe who 'breaks' them ever so creatively
and  cheerfully
admits that 'touch wood', mirrors have indeed been lucky for her.
Preparing for her fourth exhibition to be held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery
on November 16, 17, 18, Maheshi is surrounded by mirrors. Her mirrors come
in varied shapes and designs and she has piles of cut pieces which she
assembles as inspiration takes her, complementing them with touches of
jute, to create striking pictures.
The designs are most often abstract as she explains that it is difficult
to cut mirrors into more complicated shapes. But under her skilful touch,
each picture is unique and can add not just colour and light but distinction
to a room.
An interior designer by profession, Maheshi realised quite early, the
potential mirrors had. "They're very versatile," she says. For instance,
a mirror strategically placed, can make a small space look larger. Using
mirrors in her decor, Maheshi found that instead of plain mirrors, a mirror
picture could draw the eye with even greater fascination.
Her initial efforts were a success and now presenting her fourth annual
show, Maheshi has some 75 exhibits lined up.
A feature of her exhibition this year is the display of wrought iron
coffee tables with a mirror/jute top, which make stunning centrepieces
that could well be the focal point of a room.
Never short of ideas, she says she is planning on making 'mirrored'
door panels next time around.
Her sister Gitani helps her with her work and she has another girl working
for her at her home base in Kurunegala. |
