Lankan artist on a crusade to save rainforests
January 14, 2011 04:59 pm
Senaka Senanayake is on a mission to save the world’s rainforests. The internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan artist, who was drawn towards the cause after a visit to a rainforest, is in Mumbai to display his latest works, which he hopes will draw attention to the impending disaster.
“A cousin from South America, who is an environmentalist, showed me the extent of destruction. Depletion of these forests will take away our rains,” he says, matter-of-factly. Senayake’s exhibition, presented by New Delhi’s Art Alive Gallery, is dedicated to the abundant flora and fauna of the rainforests.
“I paint every plant, flower, animal and bird as they are found in nature,” he says, expressing his fascination for humming birds, black panthers, eagles and dragonflies among other species, adding, “I also use my artistic license, in the sense that a heliconia and a pink ginger could sit side by side in my paintings, unlike in reality.”
The artist hopes that his efforts to highlight the beauty and tranquility of the rainforests will make a difference, as paintings speak an international language. He informs, “My crusade is to enlighten people, especially the youth to conserve the environment. Destruction of the ecological balance is no longer confined to only the area of destruction.”
Lost Horizons by Senaka Senanayake is on display at The Viewing Room, Colaba till January 16. – (Hindustan Times)
“A cousin from South America, who is an environmentalist, showed me the extent of destruction. Depletion of these forests will take away our rains,” he says, matter-of-factly. Senayake’s exhibition, presented by New Delhi’s Art Alive Gallery, is dedicated to the abundant flora and fauna of the rainforests.
“I paint every plant, flower, animal and bird as they are found in nature,” he says, expressing his fascination for humming birds, black panthers, eagles and dragonflies among other species, adding, “I also use my artistic license, in the sense that a heliconia and a pink ginger could sit side by side in my paintings, unlike in reality.”
The artist hopes that his efforts to highlight the beauty and tranquility of the rainforests will make a difference, as paintings speak an international language. He informs, “My crusade is to enlighten people, especially the youth to conserve the environment. Destruction of the ecological balance is no longer confined to only the area of destruction.”
Lost Horizons by Senaka Senanayake is on display at The Viewing Room, Colaba till January 16. – (Hindustan Times)