| Back from Kolkata, Sri Lankan artist Nuwan Nalaka’s exhibition presents an exceptional collection of landscape paintings at the Lionel Wendt. The exhibition which is on its last day today, June 28 has as its theme ‘Landmarks of Sri Lanka’.
Having completed his BVA (SP.) in Painting from Rabindra Bharati University of Kolkata, Nalaka has based himself in Kolkata, participating in a number of exhibitions in India and overseas. His collections are available in Sri Lanka, India, Russia, Denmark and France.
Though living overseas, the artist’s roots are strongly Sri Lankan, and this exerts a powerful influence on his art. “I have grown up with kids from all communities - Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim etc. I really want to see all the people of my country to be bound together like a bunch of flowers.
“In my paintings I have tried to bring different cultures and religions and have also shown different heritage monuments, historical architecture, the daily life of common Sri Lankan people, which is indicative of the history and present life in Sri Lanka and thus the name of my exhibition is “Visions of a Nation”,” he says.
‘Light and Shade’ are the main characteristics of his paintings. “The nostalgic atmosphere has given specific dimension to my work. The main features that have given fulfillment to my specific style of watercolour are transparency and romantic atmosphere. I have used very strong dynamic brushing whenever it is needed, and left the paper white as a highlight.
It has made language of my work,” he says. ‘Visions of a Nation’ is Nuwan’s first major exhibition in Sri Lanka and he is keen to see the public’s response to his work.
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| Prayer time outside the Red Mosque at Fort |
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| Railtrack by
Mount Lavinia Hotel |
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| Rajamahavihare, Kelaniya |
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