A common theme in their lives which has inspired them to draw and paint is the fact that they have kept shifting their geographical locations in terms of establishing new residences

Contemporary artists Anup Vega and Kuweni Dias Mendis will have their art exhibition at the Barefoot Gallery in Colombo from July 27 to August 20, according to a joint press statement issued by the duo.   
Vega is a household name in the arts scene in the Colombo circles and interestingly has been a mentor for Kuweni, who is domiciled in Australia. A common theme in their lives which has inspired them to draw and paint is the fact that they have kept shifting their geographical locations in terms of establishing new residences. Vega has moved from Kandy to Nalanda and states that the thought of being a ‘pilgrim of place’ has worked for and influenced him immensely to produce art.   

“I use movement as a way of allowing work to flow,” says Vega.   
Kuweni migrated to Australia in 1999 and has been close to nature. She lives in Beechmont and finds inspiration in nature to pursue her interests in art. She has searched for belonging in a foreign country and art has helped her immensely. She has produced art under two themes. One is ‘Running Rivers’ where the theme helps her explore her urge for belonging and establish a migrant identity.   
The other theme is ‘pilgrim of place’ which she uses -as much as Vega- to explain her diasporic journey through art. One interesting feature in her art is that when she moves in nature she is able to find much of her drawing material out there. It might surprise you, but Kuweni uses sticks, feathers and plant material which she substitutes for brushes and produces marvels in art.   
Kuweni says that she goes out into the wild, it makes connections with her senses and then returns to her workstation and lets the work flow from her painting hand on to the canvas.   

They plan to hold an artists’ discussion on August 17 and a workshop for artists on August 19. 

Contemporary artists Anup Vega and Kuweni Dias Mendis will have their art exhibition at the Barefoot Gallery in Colombo from July 27 to August 20