An afternoon of artists

After a delicious rice and curry buffet on the verandah of the Capri Club, once again as guests of Andrea’s husband Rudi, we boarded the bus to sit in interminable Colombo traffic for visits to artists across town. 

Marie Gnanaraj 

Marie lives in a cleverly designed townhouse that incorporates her studio on a mezzanine level.  After training with Barbara Sansoni, she became Barefoot’s principal designer in handlooms and one of the country’s most experienced textile artists.  She has evolved an art practice in her home studio that demonstrates an engagement with the intrinsic properties of fibres like coir rope (manufactured from the coconut husk) to create textured works. Her experimental work incorporates found objects like bobbins and shuttles to create visual interest.

Her elegant, rectilinear designs glow in earth tones. She had mounted a display of beautiful work, subtle gradations of colour and texture that appeared as painted washes. Indeed, Marie states that she develops her weavings as though they are paintings, the delicacy of the tonal shifts made concrete by the twisted properties of the yarn. In her studio her assistant works diligently, skillfully carrying out Marie’s latest experimental ideas.

Marie and her display of work

Marie's assistant working on one of her designs

After the viewing we were treated to a wonderful afternoon tea prepared by Marie’s daughter, a clothes designer, and her architect friend Christine. A table was spread with ‘short eats’ comprising dainty sandwiches, savouries and cake and a delicious pot of lemon flavoured tea. We met her husband, Manel, and all settled in for a lovely chat before I had to move everyone on to our next visit.

Tilak Samarawickrama

We travelled a short distance away to Ascot Avenue where the esteemed artist, architect and designer recognised by his first name, Tilak, lives. The small house and studio that he designed is immaculately arranged with an eye to economy of space and function, clearly inspired by his training.

The walls are decorated with several of his trademark wall hangings and spectacular floor to ceiling wire sculptures of characters derived from his sensitive line drawings of stilt walkers. Based on the Sinhala script, his graphics are sensuously curvaceous and brought him early recognition in Europe for his unique style.

Tilak in front of his wire sculpture

He had set up a film for us in his dining room that elucidated his work over the last four decades, and warming to his eager audience, he took us through many of his career highlights in a powerpoint projection. Originally trained as an architect and designer in Milan, where he lived and worked for 12 years, Tilak returned to Sri Lanka in the mid 1980s to contribute his knowledge to the produce of local artisans. Heading a team of young designers as consultant to the National Design Centre, he utilised existing craft forms to translate his innovative designs in wood, metal and textiles, and in the process transformed the aesthetics of handcrafted items in Sri Lanka. His recent publication entitled A Voyage in Sri Lankan Design is testament to this contribution.

Tapestry design featured on the cover of latest publication

Exploring the extra – weft structure and weaving skills of traditional weavers he initiated the weaving of “tapestry” interpretations, collaborating with weavers from Talagune in Uda Dumbara. These stunning hangings have been exhibited and marketed in Europe and also in America, particularly in the design shop of the Museum of Modern Art. 

Also a maker of animations, his recent celebration of World Cup Cricket for a biscuit company makes entertaining viewing. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwik4_XDkSQ&feature=plcp