Waves of Transformation: Peshali’s Change Journey

Fishermen on stilts 

Peshali Fernando

Green Yellow Abstract

Trees at Night

Mysterious Wilderness

Sky Gallery will be showcasing Peshali’s first solo exhibition in Sri Lanka, “Waves of Transformation: Peshali’s Change Journey” from 10 to 12 November at Sky Gallery of the Fareed Uduman Art Forum, Colombo 5.

Peshali was inspired to exhibit her collection by Jomo Uduman, the Director and owner of the gallery, a dear friend. Each of her pieces is unique because it combines the artist’s vision and a story – making something ordinary into extraordinary. Colourful and exotic, her artwork includes modern abstracts with a distinctly impressionist style, oils, and acrylic/mixed media. Her inspirations are eclectic, reflecting her eclectic spirit which she formed through her travels and her belief that everyone has the potential to grow and change. Peshali exhibited her art first when she was studying at Cora Abraham Art School in group exhibitions in the late 1970s to early 1980s and then went onto having two solo exhibitions in 2005 and 2006, when she lived in Singapore. 

She emerged from this global experience with a widened perspective which allowed her to re-author herself with a blend of the East and West; where she learnt to be bold and have a non-restricted outlook. 

With an inbuilt passion for art, Peshali who is a psychologist by profession with over 25 years of experience working in multiple countries around the world, explains how art helps mental wellbeing and healing: “Using art as a therapeutic tool helps a person’s creative expression and contributes towards healing and positive mental wellbeing.” Elaborating this further, she says, “A person can gain personal insights to help them explore emotions, foster self-awareness, manage stress, and improve self-esteem. There are various forms of art; a person can choose to express themselves by creating a collage, sculpt using clay and even scribble or doodle. Research supports the positive aspects of using art as a therapeutic tool, and a trained professional can combine these methods to support a person in need.”

She believes that she has found her true calling in her journey to integrate art as a therapeutic medium where she can guide and support a person to release their inhibitions and recreate their unique self. She believes art has a creative and positive influence and lets a person indulge in mastering their own journey. Because, she says, “Art evolves people and art is admired by each person from their own framework, differences are accepted and less judgements are made.” 

Come witness the magic – “Waves of Transformation: Peshali’s Change Journey” will be up at Sky Gallery of the Fareed Uduman Art Forum, 65/9 Kiruala Road Colombo 5, from 10 to 12 November (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). 

Visitors, please note that there is a stairway to climb up to the gallery. Contact: 0777329596. 

Sunrise in Namunukula

Paddy Field