“Domus” A much needed home for the arts and the artists
Art must be seen and the artist has to present his creation to find its worth. It is for such exposure that “Domus” – a studio with an Art Gallery was set up in Colombo 3 recently by two young committed men – Prasad Nagendren, himself an artist of multifaceted talents and Suren Samaratunge who has great entrepreneurial skills.
The need for Art Galleries is of vital importance today especially as frustration is evident amongst young artists who need to display their creative talents but have no platform to do so. Some of the artists we met, who have passed out from reputed art schools and Aesthetic Faculties of Universities say that the famed art galleries are beyond their reach. Neither do these art galleries exhibit a few pieces of art at a time of individual artists.
Even the Nelum Pokuna Road which amateurs, budding artists and even veterans converted into an exciting, colourful pageant of art, drawing tourists as well as local art lovers, has shrunk with the removal of the iron railing on the Vihara Maha Devi Park. Some of these artists have moved to the opposite side of the road but even there, the space has been reduced with the interruption of the pavement by the entrance to Laksala at the Museum and the National Art Gallery.
Against such a scenario, “Domus” which means Home in Latin, will be, as far as possible, a Home for the Arts. The entire upper floor of “Domus” is converted to serve as the Art Gallery – where the architects say “a revolving collection of emerging Lankan artists and sculptors” will go on the boards.
Even the ground floor – a treasure trove for those with class, has paintings of young artists in every conceivable space on its walls. The garden outdoors is a live gallery where two massive sculptured deer in cement with elongated necks and in different postures were receiving final touches. Four such pairs – “accent pieces” for the garden as these were described, had been sold no sooner the artists placed them on display.
The artistic variety is fascinating. The life-sized goat – a conversation piece, is turned out with scrap metal. Incorporation of rusted metal here and there and a single shining aluminium intrusion have added interest. In the ornamental wooden horse, put together with thrown-away wooden pieces picked from the carpenter’s workshop, the young artist has combined artistry with technical skills to make it mobile even at the push of a finger. An unusual piece is the mobile ornamental stand studded with old metal spoons on its branches, created to gently sway with the wind.
The focus in the groundfloor is on interior décor with unique pieces of furniture which symbolizes the spirit of the younger generation. Specially turned out by craftsmen keeping to Prasad’s designs,sofas, chairs, tables, ottomans on display are designer-pieces with an array of cushions, table lamps as some of its accessories.
But a striking feature at this Home of Arts is the use of the fascinating art form – decoupage – a fusion of Italian and French art which Prasad has introduced to Sri Lanka. Painted under the glass in warm colours, mostly against a black background, designs range from classical to contemporary and have turned around otherwise standard cabinets. Mirror-frames, boxes of many sizes to be kept on the coffee table or as jewellery boxes, vases, trays – have been made into objets d’art.
Decoupage art form has also been combined with dried leaves, painted in gold or copper. Each of these pieces at “Domus” is one of a kind.
Prasad who is inspiring young artists and draws the best out of craftsmen, is besides an interior decorator of the modern generation whose repertoire includes designing, painting, lighting, plumbing, electrical work even water fountains and kitchens. A graduate of the Loyola College in Chennai with a MBA from the USA, he opened his first Designer Centre in the USA and later in Dubai. He has already put to use his talents and skills in the 50-odd projects he had completed which include hotels both here and India. It was while working at Thambapani in Colombo 3 that he first set up an art gallery when he met young artists, felt their needs – a journey, he along with his partner Suren is continuing, with the setting up of “Domus”.