Connecting through art with artistes
View(s):Through art, two artistes connected, and this time not for any artistic collaboration but in helping out one artiste to rebuild his life. Mueen Saheed, a celebrated international artist who has exhibited his work across Europe and Asia, joined with singer popular Tamil singing star Suriya Kumara Muththalage for a charitable cause.
Respected senior and celebrity artist Mueen Saheed had come forward to help the popular singer Suriya Kumara Muththalage, who is now living under very grueling state
‘I was approached by the divisional secretariat of Thimbirigasyaya Priyantha Disanayaka and Sumithra Herath, the Cultural Officer of Thimbirigasyaya Cultural Centre, to collaborate with Muththalage for a good cause and the good cause happened to be doing up Suriya Kumara’s house through his musical journey. Later I decided to start an initiative to help forgotten artistes and raise funds for their various needs’ said celebrity artist Mueen Saheed.
Saheed, a successful artist and his collaboration with many international galleries and artists, has helped him secure a decent living but many artists aren’t as fortunate as him.
‘Singer Suriya Kumara Muththalage has been living in this house for many years and it has been in a state of disrepair. This way, I am giving back to my profession and helping a fellow artist whose house was in shambles. I allocated funds and with help of others I was able to complete the house in two weeks, and it was so refreshing and uplifting to see the happiness and togetherness it brought among the community’ he added.
Muththalage added, ‘I have been in the industry for 30 years and sang over 100 songs, yet I wasn’t able to build a proper house or do any renovation as I wasn’t financially stable, I approached the government officials and the concerned authorities, without any luck. Later Mueen Saheed came in and helped me. I am grateful that my house was done and now we have a decent living space’.
This work inspired Mueen Saheed, to start an initiative to help artistes in need, and provide them with financial support.
‘I know several artists out there who need a lot of support and who have been forgotten or neglected. I have decided to start this foundation through the sales of my paintings, and with the generous support of well wishers. I hope this will help the much-needed better living conditions of artistes like Muththalage who has contributed so much to the music of Sri Lanka’ said Saheed.
Mueen Saheed has exhibited his creations internationally in Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Oxford, The Maldives, Bordeaux, and most recently in Paris, where he has gathered a lot of attention for his work.
His creations have featured in many hotels, resorts and art exhibitions across the country and abroad.
He has collaborated with many leading artists and through his art raised awareness for many social issues including gender-based violence and climate change. Mueens works are highly narrative. He does not believe in photogenic paintings or art that is intended to create shock value.