NATIONAL 9 (Spotlight Weelky)]

How Veterans Work

Sri Lankan artist Jayasiri Semage presents a canvas of many worlds

By AKSHAY SHARMA

An exhibition of paintings by veteran Sri Lankan artist Jayasiri Semage is on display at the Siddhartha Art Gallery at Babar Mahal. Dr Arzu Deuba, wife of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, inaugurated the show, organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy and Siddhartha Art Gallery, on November 30.

Veteran's work : Terrific art

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandarnaike Kumaratunga has described Semage as one of the most talented artists of her country. "He has effectively blended his creativity with the spirit of age-old Sri Lankan tradition and paintings to develop a style of his own and has created an unique image of his own," she said.

Connoisseurs agree. "His works are more versatile paintings of the day which depict a cross section of the Sri Lankan heritage," said Dutch critic W. J. E. Monthemius. "His works encompass many worlds and his horizons are unrestricted. His visions take in many fields. In brief, his life is one extensive work of at," said Edwin Ariyadasa, another critic.

Art was not what his parents had in mind for Semage. "My parents wanted me to be a doctor. But I went on to join Dharma Sokha College, in southern Sri Lanka, where there were art classes," he told SPOTLIGHT.

"I began my career as a mediaman. I worked as a cartoonist and did press layouts for the Sun Group of newspapers after I left school. I became the director of the art department before working as a free lancer."

He described his style as typical Sri Lankan with a modern touch. "I make huge pandals (special Sri Lankan artwork) depicting Lord Buddha. Every year during Vaisakhi (Lord Buddha's birthday), I am given the task of erecting huge pandals."

Creating a pandal is a difficult job, he said. "The most important part is the color schemes. First, you have to see the location, design it and the things around it. It matters if you are doing it for a private company or the state or religious purposes.

"Then you must have carpenters, painters and you design the actual structure. Then you hang or fix the pandal to the coconut trees. The lighting comes next. Sometimes you have to create a halo around Lord Buddha's image illuminating it with bulbs."

Semage was the personal artist of the late president Ranasinghe Premadasa. "He set the trend of holding Gam-Udhava (expos) across Sri Lanka every year. For 12 years, I have been erecting huge pandals, inspired by his request.

"Premadasa selected me to design the floors in the Temple Trees (the president's residence) and I still do that every year." Semage remembers creating a 60-feet pandal in Japan in 1991. "It took me two months to do that."

Asked what words of inspiration he had to offer young artists, Semage said: "It is good for an artist to begin with art that is teary and focus on the anatomy of things. Then you gradually understand the realistic aspect of art. That's what Pablo Picasso did."

Semage puts great emphasis on the value of hard work. "You can't be famous at once. You must have the ability to admire art, only then can you become an artist. Then you choose the field of art you are getting into."

Sri Lankan Ambassador Pamela J. Deen said: "Semage is an outstanding artist in Sri Lanka. He has won many awards and prizes. Recognizing his contribution in art, he was conferred with the national honor "Kala Suri" (Art Master) by the President of Sri Lanka in 1990. Beauty and happiness are the unique characteristics of his creation. Using subtle colors in harmony with the mixture of traditional motives and patterns, he bridges many worlds. For his creativeness and talent he has been named as the Sri Lanka's Millennium Artist."

Professor Chandima Wijebandara said: "His narrative fluency, virile contouring of forms by the swift and sure brush is very clearÖthe use of colors by Semage is also expressive of his own art. The frequent use of subdued and subtle colors depicts a non-aggressive and peaceful spirit."

"Investing in creativity is the main objective of the gallery; this includes the promotion of regional awareness through the language of art. This exhibition makes a milestone in bridging cultural ties," Sangeeta Thapa of Siddhartha Art Gallery said. "This is the first time a Sri Lankan artist has come to our gallery." Semage's works will be on display until December 10.