By Laksiri Fernando –
What is art? What is the meaning of art to you and me? These are the themes that I would like to discuss in this essay. In general terms, art includes paintings, statues, dramas, operas, dances, music, songs, and poetry. However, I am here going to focus on paintings. Therefore, when I mention art, I mainly mean paintings.
Let me at the outset introduce a broad concept. Art is like humanity. Art comes in different colors, different shapes, different sizes and from different countries. There are also different traditions. However luckily, there are no different languages! There is only one language. That is the language of humanity. That is the beauty art. Art speaks in one ‘language,’ or no language.
There is another important beauty of art. All productions of art exist without conflict or animosity. Therefore, art represents not just humanity, but ‘common humanity.’ In that sense art represents peace and harmony.
Background to My Interest
Before coming to stay at the Bruce Sharp Lodge (BSL), I have never touched a brush, after my grade ten exam. That was in Sri Lanka in 1960. At that exam, I had only an ordinary pass and I believe I am better now! I came to BSL with my wife on 23 December 2019, after a long (near death) illness in hospital. I was invited for an art class, somewhere in mid-January, where around eight people attended. It is important that it was at the BSL Chapel.
I was given a partly drawn canvass with a printed picture by the art therapist. Therefore, I was rather copying! But I made some changes and that is what is now called the “Light for Fishers” (See 4th in the first row). I managed to finish it within two days. It was like a miracle. Can miracles happen in the process of art? I believe it is the case. It is true that within my spare time during my working career (in some periods) I have taken interest in collecting art works from different countries. The collection included a cavass reproduction of Francisco Goya’s ‘la Mujer’ bought from Madrid museum. I gave them away after retirement (2010) to our son and relatives. At the end of my career, I have also taken interest in promoting artwork of others. I have written one article and given two speeches. Therefore, the ‘miracle’ in this case is not without a background.
What is Art?
Let me ask this question. Why do we appreciate art? I believe people in general appreciate art because of the beauty. That is what I did when I was collecting art of others. When we appreciate art, I believe we also appreciate the meaning. At BSL, among what I painted initially, my wife appreciated mostly what is called “Bushfire Disaster” because of its meaningfulness. That is about the recent bushfire disaster that we faced, with the possibility of it repeating in the future. Therefore, the meaning or the message is also important in appreciating art. Now we have the disaster of the coronavirus pandemic.
The above answer is basically from the point of view of the spectators, or art fans, or art-lovers.
But what about from the point of view of artists or art critiques? It can be different, and also different from one artist to the other. Art critiques are more complicated! As you know, art critiques have invented or identified different schools of artists. Some have obscure names. Some have meaning. What are they? Eastern and Western art are very broad two schools or categories. Ancient and modern art are two other categories. Then you have the schools or categories of Renaissance Art, Modern Art, Realistic Art, Abstract Art, Cubism, Impressionism, Surrealism, Romanticism, Pop-Art, Post-Modernist Art etc.
But for me, (assuming I am now an artist!), art is a means of communication. On this matter, my view goes along with Leo Tolstoy in general. He said, I quote:
“The activity of art is a most important one, as important as the activity of speech itself and as generally diffused. Art is the transmission of an emotion felt by the artist.” (What is Art? Translated by Aylmer Maude, 1960, Cambridge, p.52).
In speech, we communicate or transmit our thoughts. This is what we do even in writing. Before starting painting at BSL, one of my main preoccupations was writing. There, I always wrote down my and/or other’s thoughts on various matters.
But at my age and under health conditions, I have more feelings than thoughts! Therefore, I paint. I think this is important for anyone in my condition. That is one reason I believe why painting is introduced as a Therapy at our Uniting aged-care centers. When you communicate your feelings and emotions in the form of drawings or paintings, it helps you, I believe, to calm down yourself. You become more and more content about life. I am not a specialist on this subject, and therefore I leave further discussions to others on this matter.
Further Meaning and Form of Art?
Apart from therapy to oneself, there is another broader purpose in art. I think that is what the professional artists engage in. They communicate meaning to life, of course depending on the artist. At least they communicate beauty to life in this ugly, hectic, and violent world. Beauty brings calm and peace to people’s mind. Especially under the present coronavirus restrictions (if not lockdowns) art can bring therapy, engagement, meaning, peace, and harmony to the minds of the people.
It is not only beauty that art could communicate. It could communicate thoughts or meaning. That is one reason why from the beginning I opted to select a theme, or after painting, to give a title to a painting. It gives meaning. There are artists who do not do that. They leave up to the spectators to figure it out or give an interpretation. I respect that view as well.
Art generally uses three or four methods or means. (1) Colors. (2) Shapes. (3) Lines. And in the case of Aboriginal Art, (4) Dots. The synthesis of these three or four things is an art. It is normally said, colors give feelings, shapes give substance or meaning, and lines some mental rhythm. This is the case whether it is a realistic art or an abstract art.
In the case of Aboriginal Art, instead or in addition to lines, dots are used. This is the special beauty of Aboriginal Art in my opinion (first two drawings in the first row). Why? Because the dots resonate more effective rhythm in our minds than lines. That is why I appreciate Aboriginal Art, in addition to other merits (i.e. story telling).
Concluding Remarks
Art from an objective point of view is ‘imagined realities.’ I do not have much time to elaborate on that matter. Art is not completely real, even in the case of realistic art. They are largely or partly imagined. In the case of abstract art, they are primarily imagined, but on some reality.
All art in common or in general, in my opinion (as I said at the beginning), represents the humanity and more correctly, ‘common humanity.’ As common humanity, we have one origin and a common destiny.
To the extent art represents the common humanity, that is the beauty of art. And that is something we particularly should emphasize at the present juncture of human history, to promote peace, reconciliation, conflict resolution and harmony among humans. And also with the other species and the nature. Art is also spiritual. It could promote spiritual awareness, ethical behavior, moral integrity, and finally spiritual awakening.
(This was an essay submitted to Uniting aged care residents, NSW, Australia, August 2020)
srikrish / February 21, 2021
Laksiri,
It is a very interesting, informative and beautifully written article.
I admit my ignorance; this is my first exposure to art/painting in a serious manner.
Well! We had previously exchanged in CT about our student days at University of Ceylon Peradeniya way back in 1965 or so, and take this as an excuse to intrude into your private domain.
Is Bruce Sharpe Lodge is a health care resort where your wife and you are staying to undergo some sort of therapy after being cured from some serious disease. If so how long you will stay there?
Let me hope that you will soon recover from all your ailments and come back to guide our youth in the correct path for peace and prosperity in our little island of birth- Sri Lanka.
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Laksiri Fernando (Author) / February 22, 2021
Dear Srikrish,
Thank you. BSL is one of the aged care facilities one can stay after retirement. We have decided to move there as we could not independently manage our day to day living after my terrible hospitalization. We also didn’t want to trouble our son/family. They are busy people. We have a double room with all necessary facilities independently, and also outside in common. We do pay, but the government also subsidize. This is the beauty of the welfare system in Australia. At BSL they follow a ‘household model’ and I am also involved in some planning work. We didn’t move there for special therapy. But we have a nurse and a visiting GP. Although I mentioned as art therapy in the essay/speech for others in similar circumstances, here it is mostly an art class and I do my paintings quite independently. But art is considered as a therapy for old people (even for me) and people with dementia etc. I don’t know about it much, but you can find information I believe online or from books. Yes, I also cherish our common heritage and experiences at Peradeniya. I do have some problems in login, if I fail, I will post this through Uvindu. Sorry for the delay.
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srikrish / February 23, 2021
Laksiri Fernando.
Thanks for the response.
I really envy you. You had taken the correct decision without burdening your loved ones, still leading a life of contentment, a quality life pursuing your lifelong passions.
If only I could………………
Could Sri Lanka provide such opportunities?
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Svenson / February 22, 2021
What do you think of this ‘modern art’? I mean shapes and colours that have no apparent meaning.
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A woman once conducted an experiment. She got some children to spill paint over some large canvasses. She gave them brushes to mess the colours up. She then carefully cut out the canvases and had them elegantly framed. They were hung in a prestigious art gallery and well known art critics were invited to a wine and cheese party where they could assess the ‘paintings’. “Ah yes, that green, red and yellow, the Aztec influence is all there.” That is the sort of comment that was heard from these worthies. Much later the woman told the critics the truth and they walked out.
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The British journalist Fyfe Robertson once called modern art, Phony art. Or Phart.
ibbles as they viewed
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Laksiri Fernando (Author) / February 23, 2021
If we focus on beauty in appreciating art, the modern art is fine to me.
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That woman’s experiment was marvellous! The critics should not have walked out but laughed. Beauty is in the nature. It emerges unexpectedly or accidently. Look at the skies, art is there almost all the time. To me, realism is only one aspect of art. We do not have much meaning in life, some time or most of the time.
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srikrish / February 23, 2021
Laksiri,
If only we could find tranquility in art and forget about mundane things that divide and disturb us, then old age is a pleasure, worth living and be in peace with ourselves.
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Sinhala_Man / February 23, 2021
Dear Laksiri,
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I see that you have chosen to place this article, written in August 2020, on Colombo Telegraph at a time when we are discussing this other article with serious social ramifications:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/authoritarian-hypocritical-recommendations-of-the-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-on-sri-lanka/
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Seeing this article, and your two comment-responses here, I understand why it has not been possible for you to more fully participate in the debate there. However, I am at a loss to fathom why you wrote that rather provocative article at all. Contrary to what you have stated about how much knowledge and experience you have picked up in a varied life, that article seems to be wholly based on the Wikipedia entry on Michelle Bachelet – and I’m afraid it seems to present a distorted picture of her.
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I know nothing of Bachelet except from my reading. However, I think that I at least read carefully. Most read carelessly, and then irresponsibly spread wrong information. The results are obvious.
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I myself am old and not so very well. If possible, it is best to keep away from what is stressful – unfortunately, here we are in the midst of it all.
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old codger / February 23, 2021
S.M
“If possible, it is best to keep away from what is stressful – unfortunately, here we are in the midst of it all.” Yes!
Perhaps Laksiri’s current situation explains his rather bizarre views on SL affairs. He would be well advised to keep quiet rather than bring himself into disrepute by using his failing faculties to comment on happenings in a faraway land.
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Laksiri Fernando (Author) / February 23, 2021
Hi Sinhala Man,
I frankly think you missed my point when I referred to Michelle Bachelet’s political background (not personal background). I was quoting her report on the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka which says the Chair now is a former Minister and thus questions the independence. This is about Jagath Balasuriya. I agree she has a point. But it is hypocritical because she is herself a former Minister and a President. I also strongly believe that the UN should not appoint particularly to the position of the High Commissioner for Human Rights who has been a (controversial) politician.
Of course, I was little ‘mischievous’ when I quoted Castro! But I also believe that it is correct. If that is the case, she is further unsuitable. I have no further grumble against her. But strongly believe that High Commissioner should be an independent person with a broad academic/scientific background. I will be further writing on these matters because I strongly believe that their approaches are largely or primarily wrong and counterproductive. I also can become provocative depending on the circumstances!
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old codger / February 23, 2021
Laksiri,
“This is about Jagath Balasuriya. I agree she has a point. But it is hypocritical because she is herself a former Minister “
Ms Bachelet is a former Minister or President of Chile, which has never been accused of killing Tamil civilians. Mr Balasuriya is a former Minister in the same government which is being investigated. So he can be accused of bias.
I would expect a former VC to employ better logic. If you are suffering from senility, it better to keep quiet.
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leelagemalli / February 23, 2021
OC@
What if all his logics would have been controlled by Medamulana rascals for some hidden reasons. 😉😉😉😉😉was it right LFto intervene awarding doctorates to provable criminals? 😎😎😎😎😎
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old codger / February 24, 2021
LM,
I don’t want to be hard on an old man since I am old too. But old people are expected to be sensible.
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