2020 Group to present ‘Odyssey’ at the launch of Colombo Art Gallery

Friday, 23 April 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In view of reigniting appreciation for representational art, a group of senior artists of different disciplines, practicing distinctive styles of their own, have come together under the name 2020 Group, in its inaugural exhibition titled ‘Odyssey’ at the Colombo Art Gallery, Stratford Avenue, Colombo 06. The exhibition will be open for four weeks.

In today’s world of uncertainty and change, digitisation, symbolism and psychedelia, the purest of art forms are losing appreciation and acceptance. This is unfortunately true of the art scene in Sri Lanka as well.

However, today in Sri Lanka as opposed to the rest of the world, most young artists choose to take up abstract art purely because they feel it is higher in commercial value and requires less painstaking study, skill and crafting.

Commenting on this trend, Kalabhooshana Brindley Jayatunga, Past President of the Ceylon Society of Arts and internationally practicing senior artist, a co-founder of the 2020 Group said, “Unfortunately, this is largely due to the lack of appreciation from critiques, commercially-driven markets and the inclinations or preferences of art teachers who influence students and young artists to follow their own styles.”

The 2020 Group is thankful to Colombo Art Gallery for opening its doors to this group to exhibit at its grand launch. Situated down Sri Lanka’s only art street, Colombo Art Gallery is the much-awaited crown addition to Gandhara Street, now officially launching the gallery to the art community, art collectors and public at large.

Colombo Art Gallery is the result of Dian Gomes’s long-standing passion for art, consisting of his private collection from across the globe along with a fine curation of renowned local artistes. Being a treasure trove for art enthusiasts, it contains art from the world over.

Gomes stated: “The addition of 2020 Group marks a significant juncture in Sri Lankan art history, as it is a commitment towards representational art, by some of the best in the field. The Gallery itself has been designed keeping international standards and highest quality in mind, attention to detail is evident within the bright and airy walls; providing respite from the hustle and bustle outside.”

The 2020 Group hopes to re-ignite interest and passion for this art form and to seek international recognition for Sri Lankan artists who are immersed in it by keeping abreast of international best practices in the field of representational art.

It will be organising and facilitating the participation of local artists at art exhibitions, workshops, international art fairs, competitions.

The 2020 Group will pave the way for revisiting the art forms of the greats in history, whilst encouraging young artists to explore a wide selection of genres based not on marketability of commercial value, but rather on their particular passions and skills.

Artists in the group – seated from left: Dillai Joseph, Nihal Sangabo Dias, Charitha Lay, Brindley Jayatunga, Sunil Katugampola, Gunasiri Kolambage, Senani Senanayake and Basil Cooray. Standing from left: Anupa Perera, Shanaka Kulathunga, Wasantha Siriwardena and Sachith Graham De Silva