Arts
Two art forms; but one with nature
View(s):On July 29 and 30 mother and son duo, Asela Gunasekara and Akshana Abeywardene will exhibit two art forms- sculpture and photography at the Lionel Wendt in Colombo.
Asela Gunasekara
The exhibition, themed i (for imperfect, impermanent and incomplete) is Asela’s testament to the principles of wabi-sabi: the Japanese philosophical concept that celebrates the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. Akshana shows off his respect for nature through photography, capturing a moment in time and place which is uncontrolled by humans. Through the lens he views the world for what it is: with no fringes or frills but pure untouched beauty.
Working with clay allows Asela to develop a very intimate relationship with the elements: earth, fire, water and air. As an artist, she integrates with these and creates a certain harmony and balance to these forces. “A great understanding and respect to the natural order is necessary when working as a ceramicist, for over-manipulation and control takes away the aesthetic order which naturally emerges in our world,” she says. “This is what the Zen masters understood, practised and taught.”
Her exhibits will mainly include ceramic art with sculptural forms, which are hand built and wheel thrown. Some are figurative sculptures whereas the others are sculptural pottery.She will also exhibit a few mixed media pieces made with wire, plaster, fabric, wood, etc.
While this is Akshana’s maiden exhibition, Asela has previously exhibited at the Lionel Wendt in 2012, at Dubai International Art Centre in 2015, Saskia Fernando Gallery in 2016 and has won the prize for 3D art category at the Dubai International Art Centre in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Akshana Abeywardene