| Arts |
|
|||
Symbols of the
past
Through 'Candy Cousins,' his latest exhibition of paintings, Sanjeewa Kumara wants to draw attention to the impact of colonialism on our civilization. Over the centuries he says, various aspects of the Portuguese, Dutch and the English were absorbed into our culture as is obvious in our law, buildings, food and names. "While the nationalistic movements and individuals talk about the pure Sri Lankan identity, I want to remind them of their past," he says. The artist while studying for his master's in Fine Arts in The Netherlands noticed Sinhalese Ayurvedic books and other artefacts at the Rembrandt Museum, things that the Dutch picked up from the country. "It made me rethink about myself and my culture." In addition, working in the Netherlands with other artists from China, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, etc. gave him a truly inter-cultural experience. Feeling the need to find out what really happened in our lives took him on a journey into the past. "Colonial expansion is a story of the meeting between European and Asian peoples that have led to deep and permanent changes," Sanjeewa says. Colonial and postcolonial social and political issues thereby stimulate the context of his recent paintings. Using oil on canvas the large paintings done in vibrant colours have a curious mix of symbols that focus on this colonial concept. The title makes a pun on the word Candy and cousins indicating the relationship between the people of the countries concerned. Britisher Robert Knox who spent long years as a prisoner in Kandy is depicted in one of the paintings that Sanjeewa classifies as the New South Asian Art that has gained popularity in the region during the past 10 years. He contrasts the Western motifs from colonialism with the traditional Asian art. His interpretations of the social issues combine various historical elements that he synchronizes and presents in his unique style. Sanjeewa completed a six-year programme at the Institute of Aesthetic Studies in Sri Lanka before going to the Netherlands. Sri Lankan art lovers would recognise him from his painting of the Great Emperor, exhibited in Moods and Modes at the 50 years of Sri Lankan painting exhibition organised by the George Keyt Foundation. His solo exhibition in 1999 called 'Uncanny Personalities' revealed another side of Sanjeewa's art. His recent work will be exhibited at the Paradise Road Galleries between October 25 and November 14. Menaka to perform
Saint-Saens’ piano concerto with Symphony Orchestra
Menaka who is a Fellow of the Trinity College, London and a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in both piano and singing has given public piano performances of Chopin, Rachmaninov, Scarlatti, Debussy and de Falla amongst others, but has concentrated more on singing Oratorio and Lieder in recent years. "I'm really thrilled to be playing with the Symphony Orchestra again. Saint-Saens 2nd piano concerto is such a novel and tuneful work, full of varied moods and exciting rhythms,” Menaka says. SOSL will open their concert with Tchaikovsky's lyrical and impassioned Symphony No. 5 in E minor conducted by Ananda Dabare, who was trained in Moscow and has a special affinity for Tchaikovsky's music. The Colombo premiere of 'Mars' from 'The Planets' suite by Gustav Holst, scored for a very large orchestra, will bring the concert to a great crashing close. It starts at 7 p.m. with a pre-concert talk by Rajeev Aloysius at 6.15 p.m. Sinhala
translation of Widows hits the boards One of English theatre's leading directors, Jerome also handles the choreography and set and costume designs. Nihal Fernando, Deepani Silva, Srinath Maddumage, Kusum Renu, Roshan Pilapitiya, Nilmini Buveneka, Samapth Jayaweera, Anusha Dissanayake, Rohini Wickramaarachchi, Deepa Villaraarachchi, Watsala Ranasinghe, Ravindra Ariyaratne, Nipuni Perera, Dilini Perera, Ashan Fonseka, Jeevani Nirupa Kumari, Kumudu Nishantha Perera and Neelani Peramunaarachchi will be joined by students of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation in this production. Seasonal transitions
of life and death "I knew I wanted to be an artist from the age of eleven," she says. Some significant milestones on her journey have been her graduating in Fine Arts from Falmouth School of Art and membership of the Manchester Print Studio and the Saltburn Artists' Group. In addition to exhibiting regularly, the young artist was invited to create several large murals at important venues. She has specialized in painting and print-making, particularly in the intaglio printing process and since making Sri Lanka her home three years ago, an Asian flavour has permeated her work. "They Fall Every Year" is a many-faceted exploration in mixed media of the motif of leaves, which in their seasonal transitions, symbolize life, death and birth to her. The paintings on display are steeped in nostalgia and some were born of memories of moments spent with her father raking leaves in the garden of their home in Cheshire. Also autobiographical is the blue-dominated 'Miller-Fisher Syndrome' which recalls with painful distinctness the paralyzing effect of a rare disease that Janet fortunately overcame. Painting can be a form of therapy, a way of coming to terms with painful aspects of one's life says Janet. Not all the canvases have sombre themes or colours - the painting inspired by Indian architecture or the pantheon have the trademark red of the 'pottu' - a vivid scarlet which evokes the paradoxical sensuality found in the sacred goddess image, the auspicious colour of kumkum. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
