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27th August 2000
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Book Review

Simple strokes reflect profound depth

George Claessen lived to the ripe old age of 90. He was a founder member of the '43 Group in Ceylon but spent most of his artistic life abroad.

Shamil Wanigaratne has put together a positive, commendable and illuminating book on Claessen. It is a book that should be on the bookshelf of any lover of art, particularly Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) art. The book contains two distinct sections.One which is written and gives background, biography and art critics' views on the artist and the other which contains 158 plates which are selected and arranged in such a way that they give a flavour of this great artist's work and an insight into his talent.

Little need be said about the written section - it is informative, methodical and provides a framework into which the reader can fit what is contained in the second part - the highly representative selection of 158 plates. 

Claessen was a very mild and low-key individual who described himself as a professional draughtsman. When asked by this author three years before he died what art was all about, he very modestly but enigmatically replied that he agreed with Picasso that "art is something done by an artist". I found him a most interesting philosopher to talk to, however - one who took his art seriously as a form of self expression apart from whatever else it may be. He once pointed to one of his larger and more interesting blue wave abstracts and said, 

"That has religious significance". Having earlier been told by him that he was an "atheist" or had no religion (although evidently he had been baptised a Christian belonging to the Dutch Reformed Church), I was rather baffled by this statement and pointed out to him that he had said he was an atheist. His reply was typical of the man and much of his painting, particularly abstract painting, - enigmatic, multifaceted and certainly profound. He simply said: "You can be an atheist but still be religious!" 

The selection of plates adequately reflects the range of Claessen's versatility. He was by profession a draughtsman - his drawing was superior in quality, often very delicate, but above all, expressive and highly communicative to boot. Two examples in the selection are - No. 88, "Three Pears, 1974", and No. 62, "Man's Head - Homage to Dante, 1995." The former is one of the most "lively" nature morts I have seen. Although still, the "Three Pears" have a vibrant feeling of life, created by the minutely sensitive ink and crayon lines. There is no particular "life" in three fruits but Claessen creates a beautiful impression of rich verdure, which is a commentary on the inherent contradictions of creation which we do not fully understand. As for Dante, does not one see the intensity and heat of "The Inferno" in the exciting but rather frightening charcoal lines? Wanigaratne's selection of drawings, animals (see the very simple but ferocious "Lion 1983", No. 35), humans (see No. 84 "Seated Nude 1976"), landscape (see No. 95, "South End on Sea Pier, 1974" and No. 94, "A View in Shepherd's Bush, London W12, 1970") and nature, amorts, among others, is a highly telling compliment to Claessen's talent and more so, his communicative execution. 

I do not intend to comment on every genre in the selection. Suffice it to say, that every aspect of Claessen's talent is reflected. I would particularly mention the abstracts - about in one third of the plates, and rightly so. Claessen's brushwork in his abstract painting was a strange combination of simplicity and profundity. This is what I call his "wave style" - e.g., No. 119, "Cosmic Prism, 1972". 

The latter looks like some very primitive work with the paint brush. It is, however, highly complex if one reflects on the interspersing of the rare colour that is not blue with the blue strokes. What is more it is not merely a collection of brush strokes but a "religious" theme. Here is Claessen telling us with simple strokes of the brush what is one aspect of his view of the world. A different kind of abstract is No. 146, "Geometric Symbol, 1995" or No. 136, "Abstract", undated. The latter has two squares, one above the other, the upper one slightly unsymmetrical and skewed but still giving the impression of a square, surrounded and implanted with brush strokes of slightly varied but not too varied colours. Originally he did not give this a title and, thus, it is simply called "Abstract", but it reflects a deep understanding of simple shapes and their relationship to colour and shapelessness. One is in the presence of a vision but here is the artist also telling us how simple and yet unintelligible life can be!

The book tells us in a highly sophisticated and accomplished manner of Claessen's work and contribution to art, especially in the Sri Lankan milieu. But where does Claessen stand in relation to other artists in terms of the development of Ceylon's (Sri Lanka's) modern art. The Sigiriya frescoes are one thing, Ceylon's modern art another, although clearly the two have some links. Perhaps at its most mature stage one was to say that Richard Gabriel's many-faceted painting, and even sculpture, has pride of place, particularly because of originality of style, delicacy of execution, understanding of ambience, ability to adapt to genre, and variety and depth of subject matter.

Not far behind are Ivan Peries and George Claessen in their own styles and manner of execution. Both had originality of style and both chose a variety of interesting and communicative themes. Aubrey Collette, a master of another genre-cartoon and caricature-deserves mention as one of the most accomplished and perceptive modern artists in his field. Little known is Ashley Halpe one of whose small landscapes, is in my view the best of its kind I have seen among the works of the many post impressionist modern painters anywhere. 

We also have Stanley Kirinde who is not only technically original but also is master of movement as well as "non movement". George Keyt comes next - he had to have models in style which makes his work less stylistically original than that of the others but one must admit that his ability to adapt and adjust artistic styles to his needs is to be admired. Senake Senanayake may also be mentioned thereafter. The other moderns, follow, indeed some of the '43 Group not being even close to those mentioned above. Perhaps Beling, a member of the '43 Group, who did not produce much for the Sri Lankan public should be singled out for mention among the others. His work had respectable quality and a soft technique. 

J. Deraniyagala's very early work, mainly his drawings with water colour inclusions and a couple of oils, which are all unsigned and undated and may raise queries about authorship, may have some interest. One sees then that George Claessen is well ahead and is almost at the top of the list. 


Can astrologers provide the answers to life's problems?

Star-struck

By Tania Fernando
There comes a time in our lives when most of us are faced with a crisis that leaves us confused, tormented and unsure of how we should face the situation. During this time of despair, some of us turn to prayer, others look for strength in meditation, some others seek solace in drugs or alcohol. Then there are others amongst us who turn to astrologers and soothsayers to see if the answer to their problems lies in the stars.

Be it a broken love affair, domestic abuse, a housing problem, or even the stress of facing an exam, can astrologers show us a way out? Whilst they may help in certain cases, there are many instances where astrologers make a quick buck out of distressed clients.

Twenty-eight-year-old Nilakshi was faced with a crisis when she fell in love with her colleague Sanjiv. He was from a different race and his family wanted him to settle down with someone from the same race and the 'right connections'. They were adamant that he should not marry Nilakshi.

"I was torn apart not knowing what to do, I was so in love with him. So I went to several astrologers who told me they could help bring his family around," said Nilakshi. 

"I spent so much money and time and did whatever they asked me to do. I was so desperate that someone only had to mention the name of an astrologer and I would rush there. They kept giving me hope, they asked me to light lamps and even asked me to bury something in a cemetery. There was one lady who told me not to waste my time, but when I insisted, she wanted me to pay her Rs. 10,000/- which I did. 

"One astrologer even predicted that on the day of his wedding Sanjiv would break a leg and would not be able to get married. Eventually though Sanjiv married someone else according to his parents' wishes. I was such a fool and wasted so much money. Now I actually wonder whether it was worth it," she adds.

There are many Nilakshis who have been taken for a ride by astrologers. There are, of course, on the other hand many positive stories of those who have found the advice of astrologers most helpful too. Whom to believe or not to believe is the question? Does the solution depend on your faith or is it just your fate what's meant to be?

Yousuf Ibrahim has been in the astrology business for 18 years. He said that most of his clients consult him after hearing of his services from someone else. "When someone comes to see me and if their wishes come true they send someone else, " he says. He claims there is no guarantee of success and he has no answer as to why some work out and others don't. "Maybe they don't comply with what I tell them," Ibrahim said.

None of the astrologers contacted wanted to talk about cases of failure. They were positive that they had been able to help many with their problems.

While the astrologers might be doing a good deed for one, it might have the opposite effect for another. Take the case of Mrs. Vithanage who did not approve of her eldest son's girlfriend. The concerned mother, therefore, decided to take matters into her own hand. She visited an astrologer who helped to make a mother's wish come true, but yet was breaking the heart of someone else. Her son probably knew about it, but never questioned his mother. His girlfriend had told him on many occasions that she firmly believed that his mother had a hand in their relationship coming to an end, but he chose to ignore it. 

"I wanted her but there seemed to be something stopping me. I could never figure out what it was. An year later I still care for her but it seems like there is a third force not letting me get what I want," the son said.

Sriyani living in Borella has been an astrologer for the past 25 years and says she has people from different walks of life visiting her. She says she does her best to help them, but admits that there have been instances where her solutions have not worked out. She is insistent that she is making an honest living and barely manages to cover her day to day expenses.

Aruni, 25, had visited Sriyani after a broken love affair. Sriyani had promised to help her get the man of her dreams back, but after many visits and about Rs. 12,500 being spent, Aruni says she realized that she was being taken for a ride. "Nothing can get you what you want, it's all in the hands of God,", she says in hindsight.

While Aruni might have cause to feel disappointed, 29-year-old Manori was totally satisfied with the outcome of her visit to Sriyani. In her case all she wanted was a job and having obtained that she feels eternally grateful to the astrologer.

Another popular astrological forecast was the 'ola leaf'. While many people swear by their readings there are those who claim they are not accurate. What makes people actually turn to astrologers is the million rupee question. Can any astrologer help us change our destiny? 

(Names have been changed to protect identities)

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