Mirror Magazine

 

Moulding life into art
By Esther Williams
On the armature was a lump of clay that gradually took shape. With fine strokes, facial features emerged, the curve of the brow and angle of cheekbones giving expression to the sculpted form.

It was fresher Anneke Hiltermaan's third lesson in sculpture at the Sapumal Foundation, and she was making good progress by the look of it. "I have never done art before, but I hope to be an artist some day," she smiles. The co-ordination is not so simple, says she of her three dimensional piece, "It is difficult to do with your hands what you want to do in your head."

Working on two dimensional heads of Greek Gods were Ella Huesken and Tineke Roholl, also from Holland. "I enjoy it very much. However, it is much more difficult than you think, especially the expressions," Ella remarks, although she feels fortunate to have an experienced teacher like Dr. Sarath Chandrajeewa.

The Sapumal Foundation in Colombo 7 has been offering classes in sculpture besides drawing and painting since September 2002, in addition to their art classes for children. The good news about the sculpture classes for those aged 16 and above is that no previous knowledge of art is required. While it caters to school leavers and others interested in art, it would also prove to be beneficial to architectural students.

Students in small batches follow a detailed module comprising of 10 levels, each level having 12 lessons of three hours each. They are taught to model various parts of the human anatomy, animal anatomy, portrait sculptures in 3-D and relief, buildings, vehicles, antiques, landscapes etc.

Starting with the basics of identifying modelling techniques and materials and how to make different types of armatures, students progress into abstract and semi-abstract forms in clay and transforming methods of plaster models. They are encouraged to visit parks and museums to study nature, its different forms and other artifacts.

Techniques and principles taught for drawing are used in this medium. Students initially work with synthetic clay to get their fingers trained and hardened. In time they use natural clay, cement and gypsum blocks and make their own moulds and plaster cast. Knives, kidney tools, iron cables, modelling stands and armatures are used.

Sculptured faces need to reveal expression. Towards this, a step by step procedure for moulding eyes and expression, nose and then the mouth are detailed. The end of the course would see them making life size figures. At that stage, should they wish to work on a project, students can work on a composition that consists of two to three figures.

"Every person has an inherent talent that needs to be developed and nurtured," says Dr. Sarath Chandrajeewa of this fascinating medium, that most people enjoy as you get to work with your hands using mud, clay and water. This former head of the Institute of Aesthetic Studies and former director of the Institute is a visiting Professor at the foundation.

Having received his Ph.D from Moscow, Dr. Chandrajeewa currently lectures in Fine Arts at the Kelaniya University. His work has been exhibited several times, the most recent being his exhibition of 100 portraits featuring prominent people in Sri Lanka.

Others who teach at the foundation include Prof. Albert Dharmasiri (drawing and painting) and Manoranjana Herath. Tissa Ranasinghe, an academic from London also contributes to the course.

Tushma Perera, after completing her O/Ls and A/Ls in art from St. Bridget's Convent intends to teach art in the future. "There are not many people who conduct classes in sculpture in Sri Lanka. I am really fortunate to have enrolled here," she says.

Walking into the serene surroundings of Sapumal, you come across housewives, Buddhist monks and others who aspire to create works of art, making you want to try it yourself. Who can tell? There may be an artist in you!


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