Finding movement and meaning in lines
View(s):By Samadhee Wijesekera
“Geometry and lines gave me the artistic language to express myself,” says Naomi Fernando, artist and muralist. Always an avid lover of the artistic space, she would often be doodling on whatever she could find and now enjoys giving full rein to the artist within her.
Naomi’s first solo exhibition ‘Lines’ takes place on September 27 and 28 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery with Naomi conducting an artist’s walkthrough session on the 27th at 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on the 28that 10.30 a.m.
Naomi Fernando
Starting her school life at Our Lady of Victories Convent, Moratuwa, Naomi then attended Methodist College Colombo. For her A’ levels, she moved to Colombo International School. Armed with a degree in Graphic Design from Curtin University, she worked in the advertising sector for nearly 18 years. Now, she is fully committed to her passion for art. “It was during the COVID pandemic that I realized where my true passion was,” recollects Naomi.
A line is one of the simplest forms of art, yet it can portray so much. Why she chose the art of lines is because once you add multiple layers of lines to a painting it forms a structure that can give the piece meaning, movement and complexity, she explains.
She also sees it is a very calming form of art that provides a feeling of Zen.
Naomi has incorporated her own childhood memories into some of her works, specifically her drawings of the ‘Heliconia’ flower. Her family lived close to the Bolgoda Lake where there was an abundance of ‘Heliconia’ flowers always in bloom. These flowers are a significant memory for Naomi. “My mother is an avid gardener; she loves her Bougainvillea and had all the colours,” she recalls. She herself enjoys gardening when time permits. When she started drawing, one of her very first creations were inspired by her mother’s garden.
The traditional Sri Lankan mask has also inspired her; she draws them in geometrical style and also in black and white.
Sometimes putting the ideas in her mind onto paper can be a bit tricky because it doesn’t always result in the desired outcome, she says frankly. Certain pieces takes a while, but this isn’t always a bad thing as having time to reflect on a piece can bring new perceptions, she feels.
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- Naomi Fernando
Naomi enjoys hearing how others perceive and interpret her art. She hopes to continue pursuing this line, bringing life to her artistic vision through the versatile nature of lines.
‘Lines’ is on at the Lionel Wendt Gallery on September 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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