– An art exhibition not to be missed
An Art Exhibition by the students of Shyamala School of Art ‘ Soulscapes’ will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on November 27- 28 from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm
By Kshalini Nonis
Having being involved in art for several decades, Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena, Founder Principal Shyamala School of Art feels that taking up art means a life - time commitment to creating new boundaries and stretching out one’s own capabilities.
An Art Exhibition by the students of Shyamala School of Art ‘ Soulscapes’ will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from November 27- 28 from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm with the preview on November 26 at 4pm.
Shyamala spoke to us about her upcoming exhibition and how she perceives art.
Q: What is the name of your exhibition and when and where will it be held? We have called it ‘Soulscapes.’ The opening night is 26 th of November 2024 at 4 pm and will continue on 27 th and 28 th from 9.00 a.m to 8.00 pm at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery Colombo 7.
Q: What is the main purpose of having this exhibition?
All young people and younger children have not had a platform on which their creative abilities, thoughts and ideas could be expressed freely and with much joy. Hence this has become a great time for all ages to use the visual language of aesthetic communication.
Q: Can you tell us about those who will be exhibiting their work at the exhibition?
The youngest is 3 years and the oldest is 65 years.
Q: Can you tell us about the Shyamala School of Art and what it has achieved thus far?
The Art school has always opened our doors to children and young people with different abilities. We have seen them all grow into highly skilled well balanced sensitive human beings with purpose and value for life.
The Art school is a centre for art and design for Edexcel Pearson examinations through the British Council Colombo. These students will share the potential that can be brought out by this beautiful subject Art and Design.
Q: You will also be exhibiting the work of special children – can you tell us about this?
We have children with very specific needs and though people call them special needs it is honestly needs - specific to very special children. We work very hard to integrate these children into regular groups of kids and by doing so we teach all children the beauty of different people as they grow and the wonder of accepting people and working alongside each other. It is so fascinating to see how the young and the older kids simply love and value each other's existence and the fabulous work each one does.
When they integrate into regular classes they are ready to integrate into society and due to the pressure it puts on them stronger personalities are made of these children through the therapy art offers.
Q: Can you tell us about the Shyamala School of Art and what it has achieved thus far?
Looking back at 23 years, I walk into graduate shows and 4 to 5 students pop up who have done art and design. Some top the batch and this has been our journey to create a design mindset and aesthetic value in professional outcomes.
Art school is getting known for setting Art and Design foundations and creating a different approach to how art, design and craft is thought. We have created a space that makes kids and adults alike happy and content. If you look at what’s happening in society today you realise the need for this inner happiness we all need.
We need to create a place where our youth find inner happiness and purpose in life. Art is capable of touching the soul and filling emptiness with bubbling joy. Everybody should try it.
Q: How is art perceived in Sri Lanka and how do you see it?
In Sri Lanka older generations still believe that Art is for those who cannot study or for those with lots of wealth or for those who cannot do anything else.
I totally disagree and have proved beyond doubt through the young people who have taken Art and Design that it is for the extremely intelligent and aesthetic brains and for those who’s artistic traits have been forthcoming in place of academia.
It is also for those interested in research and deeper studies of socio political and human relationships.
Art is more than a painting or a sculpture. Art is the ability to celebrate life with constant joy and unending purpose. This is why young people need Art.
Q: What would you say to to those who want to take up art?
Taking up art means a life - time commitment to creating new boundaries stretching out one’s own capabilities and making life that’s given to us all a meaningful celebration and a soul enriching experience “When you try art you find your self, your space.”
