The Nobel Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda was in Sri Lanka as the Consul for his country in 1929/30. He put it most eloquently when he declared – “Keyt, I think is the living nucleus of a great painter. Magically though he places his colors, and carefully though he distributes his plastic volumes, Keyt’s pictures never-the-less produce a dramatic effect particularly in his painting of Sinhalese people. These figures take on a strange expressive grandeur and radiate an aura of intensely profound feelings”.
George Keyt now has an almost cult like following in Sri Lanka in the Art community. Keyt died in 1993, yet 26 years after his death, his legacy is being celebrated. It is a legacy of art. His gift to Sri Lanka survives in the form the George Keyt foundation. Sri Lankan Art is a series of annual exhibitions initiated by the George Keyt Foundation in 2001. And it has been happening for 18 years now.
But this genius of Keyt, from where did it come from? Is it possible that even this great man himself was a vessel? A vessel through which a higher force chose to communicate its thoughts? A vessel a higher force chose to serve a certain purpose? Maybe there is a force greater than any of us in this world? A hidden hand? Maybe the old gods aren’t as dead as we imagine them to be! Life is full of mysteries and maybe the most sensitive of us – writers, artistes, musicians and artists are a medium!
Charita Lay is one such painter who is aware that she maybe be the clay that the potter uses. She herself admits that she sometimes comes under the spell of this inexplicable force.
“Painting gives me a lot of pleasure and it really is a mysterious process. I think my exhibits convey my inner-self. It is very spontaneous and naturally flows through me. When I see something, without consciously making an effort to remember it, it enters my psyche and in an explicable way it takes a certain form on paper. And sometimes the outcome is a surprise to me! Sometimes I myself am unaware of the direction my painting goes in,” said Lay.
Lay has been taking part since the very inception of Sri Lankan Art. She admits that the artists are very talented and the paintings are outstanding. She has been interested in painting from her childhood.
“You can say it runs in the family as my uncle was an artist. Seeing my thoughts and emotions on canvas gives me the utmost satisfaction. So right now I am completely focused on paintings. More than any other medium of expression, painting gives me the most satisfaction. My paintings are unique and original,” said Lay.
Lay’s painting is of two women picking Lotus flowers. The contours are very interesting. She has been able to capture the femininity very well such as the bosom of the women. When it comes to the colors and hues there is a certain homogeneity. The painting is of course open to interpretation – are they friends? Sisters or a mother and daughter? It is interesting to speculate why Lay has chosen the Lotus as the subject of her painting. Lotus flowers exude beauty and grace. They have an otherworldly quality that makes them mystical enough for religious ceremonies. It can mean purity and devotion. Lotus flower blooms can take on a spiritual meaning of ascension, enlightenment, or rebirth. It is possible that the relationship between the two women is that of devotees due to the flower of choice.
Feroza Rafeek displayed three paintings and stated that her paintings revolve around happiness. Rafeek who is into oil paintings, stated that she is mostly into abstract and natural paintings.
“I always try and focus on happiness. As a child I wanted to become an artist. I have done my degree in the UK at the open college of Fine Arts. At the moment I am an Art teacher at Wycherley International School Colombo. Art is something inborn in me. I come from an artistic family – my father’s side and my husband’s side. I really do have a passion for art. I have an art academy at home, and have special courses for children and adults,” said Rafeek.
Her painting ‘Natural Roses’ is certainly food for thought. The entire portrait is dominated by a red rose. Her painting ‘Arabian Desert’ is dominated by the horse and the camel. It seems to exude a sense of peace. It seems that dusk has set, and the rider and his camel are taking a rest after a hard day’s journey. The colors are very subdued giving that dusk like effect. Rafeek’s use of colors are very interesting. They are very soft and ethereal.
Nations Trust Bank Deputy CEO, Priyantha Thalwatte, said that the Exhibition is a platform for Sri Lankan artists to grow as a community, showcase their work and share their interests.
“The amazing thing about art and artists is that they are capable bringing new and existing ideas to manifest original and unique creations that convey emotions and messages. It also promotes empathy. Empathy is the ability to see things from another’s perspective. This is something we should value and cultivate in ourselves. That is the only way of understanding each other. It helps us build better partnership and relationships with each other,” said Thalwatte.
Thalwatte thanked the foundation for inviting them to be a part of this special event nine years ago. He commended the effort taken by the foundation for trying to promote art in Sri Lanka.
“This is a very noble cause because it creates opportunities for artists to showcase their masterpieces. We are confident that this exhibition will be well received by the art loving community in Sri Lanka,” stated Thalwatte.
The foundation of the George Keyt foundation, Sita and Cedric De Silva were passionate sponsors of the artistic community in Sri Lanka, and the foundation continues their belief that a vibrant and active artistic community is essential for the health of our societies and our communities.
One other picture that is extremely beautiful is the one where this lady is thinking deeply. The expression on her face has been captured beautifully – thoughtful and deliberating. Another painting that is incredibly beautiful is the one where there is a lonely pathway, actually it is a railway line, and there is this eagle or falcon flying around. The whole scene is bathed in moonlight. The railway tracks are actually created in such a way that it goes parallel to the mountain.
The nude picture has that vibrant effect because most of the colors are so strong. The hues are orange and red where the body of the woman is concerned. It shows a certain sensuality. A boldness. An appreciation of the human body. There is a wistful expression on her face. Is she up to some mischief?
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