Vruksha – An exhibition with a difference

Although hailing from different generations, artists Charmaine Mendis, Minha Mahushukeen, and Dila Weerasinghe, together with their mentor, Karunasiri Wijesinghe, all united by a mutual love for nature, will hold an exhibition of black and white line drawings from 27 to 30 May at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre.

“We have each in our own way had artistic inclinations from our childhood,” said Charmaine Mendis. Minha Mahushukeen added that although the three of them come from different age groups, they are still unified by a common love for nature and art. “Some of us have been able to have formal training or short spells of training with various teachers, which proves that the desire to draw/paint/express has always been there within us,” said Dila Weerasinghe.

Charmaine was fortunate to have been born to parents who recognized the value of nature and taught her to appreciate its wonders. From an early age, she went on regular trips to the jungle. Her natural environment is the jungle, where she is happiest.

Dila has studied Art and Design in the United States and has worked in the fashion industry, which gave her the opportunity to design and develop products. She too is a regular visitor to the wilds of Sri Lanka and is an intrepid adventurer.

The catalyst in bringing about this exhibition has been Karunasiri Wijesinghe whose exhibition initially inspired Charmaine and then Minha to study under him, with Dila joining them later on.

Wijesinghe is a leading Sri Lankan artist, who has developed his own original style in representing the intricate details that nature employs to cover this planet with an abundance of foliage. Long hours spent standing in the jungles of the dry zone and the Sinharaja forest, drawing pad in hand, have paid off in the unique masterpieces he has produced.

Vruksha, which will consist of a collection of around 60 drawings, will be open to the public on all three days from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.