Art Gallery

Art Gallery (Landscapes)

Author: Adisha Kariyawasam

“The goal of life is rapture. 

Art is the way we experience it. 

Art is the transforming experience.”

- Joseph Campbell(26 March 1904 - 30 October 1987)
(Professor of Literature and Prolific Author)

Welcome to my online art gallery... here is a small selection of my paintings and drawings along with some explanations of what prompted me to create them. More drawings and paintings will be uploaded soon!

Art List:

1. The Secret Glade
2. Kandy 'Dalada' Perahara
3. Ruwanweli Maha Seya
4. Moon River
5. Dawn

Exhibit 1: The Secret Glade

The Secret Glade

This painting is based on sketches from a vivid dream I had just before my son was born back in 2005.  It contains lots of symbolism and hidden meanings in the form of lotus flowers, streams and waterfall as well as a solitary stag.

Throughout history, the stag has been known as the king of the forest, the protector of all other creatures. It is a messenger, an animal of power, and represents sensitivity, intuition and gentleness.  In Buddhist folklore, deers and stags feature very prominently, particularly in Jataka Tales, or stories from the previous births of the Buddha.

The lotus pond represents life, fecundity, because it is rooted in the water and grows towards the sun.  The lotus is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Its characteristics are a very good analogy for the human condition i.e. as even when its roots are in the muddiest and murkiest waters, the Lotus produces the most elegant flower.

The waterfall is an emblem of continuous motion, in our world in which the elements change ceaselessly while its shape remains the same.  It is known as a symbol of abundance, prosperity and good fortune.

The forest symbolises the need to trust your instincts to find your way out of challenging situations; It also alludes to an exploration of unconscious to “find yourself".   Other notable symbolism for the forest include the great connection with the that of the mother, as it is a place where life thrives in abundance.

Created: 25th October 2010
©2020 A. Kariyawasam

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Exhibit 2: Kandy 'Dalada' Perahara

Dalada Perahara, Kandy

This painting was inspired by a trip to Kandy, Sri Lanka that involved watching the spectacular perahara procession.

I gave this as a gift to my father on his 50th birthday. If you look closely:
Just behind the drummer, in the crowd can be seen my father and late grandparents.
Just to the left of the Kandyan dancer, next to the wall can be seen myself and my brother (sitting on the wall).

Created: 30th September 1991

©2020 A. Kariyawasam

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Exhibit 3: Ruwanweli Maha Seya

Ruwanweli Maha Seya - The Golden Sands Dagoba

My pencil drawing of Ruwanweli Maha Seya (රුවන්වැලි මහා සෑය) 'golden sands' Dagoba in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Created: 28th May 2011

©2020 A. Kariyawasam

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Exhibit 4: Moon River

Moon River

My painting: "Moon River" was inspired by the song composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 American romantic comedy film Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Moon river wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style someday

Old dream maker, you heartbreaker

Wherever you're going I'm going your way

Two drifters off to see the world

There's such a lot of world to see

We're after the same rainbows end

Waiting round the bend

My huckleberry friend, moon river

And me...

Created: 20th October 2010

©2020 A. Kariyawasam

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Exhibit 5: Dawn

Dawn

Dawn at the the 'Roof of the World', the Himalayan Mountain Range.  I have always been intrigued by the fact that the Himalayas (which translates as "Abode of Snow") is the tallest, yet one of the youngest mountain range on the planet at 25 Million Years Old.  The tectonic plates on which they lie are still the cause of India colliding into Tibet and as a result are a source of numerous earthquakes and tremors.  The mountain range is most notable for the fact that it is the only one that spans six different countries, namely:
Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet.
This picture is a high-speed painting that was completed within one day, an hour to be precise!  The cloudscape was inspired by one that I remember seeing when travelling back home from work.  I will never forget the way the beams of sunlight broke through the silver lining of the clouds after a particularly heavy rainfall.  That image has stuck in my memory ever since.

I include an image of Mount Everest on the right hand side and this mountain has always fascinated me from an early age.  It is steeped in much history and mythology.  Mt. Everest is called “Samgarmatha” by the Nepalese and this can be translated as “Goddess of the Universe” or “Forehead of the Sky.”  It is also called 'Chomolungma', by the Tibetans which means "Goddess Mother of Mountains".


Created: 26th October 2010

©2020 A. Kariyawasam

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