Transcript

Hi and welcome to Etv Power Woman. Now today we have with us the hugely talented artist Iromie Wijewardena. Hi Iromie and welcome to the show.

Hello Minoli.

Iromie I wanted to ask you actually whether sort of painting and art was a passion of yours from childhood? Is it something you started quite sort of young age?

Yes Minoli. Painting was a childhood passion and a childhood ambition. So I started experimenting with different styles and my mother started sending me to different art schools and I kept on developing my style. And of course when I was in school I wasn’t sure whether I was going to take to Fashion designing or painting. So while I was still in school use to design to the news papers. Just sketches, fashion design sketches. Then in 1973 I thought, now I’m gonna branch out and I started on painting. There again I was experimenting into landscape painting, figure compositions and in 1973 while I was at Ladies College, I had my first exhibition. That was all landscapes.

Was that quite nerve wracking, showing off your work for the first time?

Not really. It was a collection of many years and it was a quite a successful exhibition. But I was a school girl you know, so you don’t take all that into account. And you just go on painting. So then after a while I felt I wanted to start figure compositions. Because I felt that Landscape painting wasn’t creative enough for me. So I started on doing live models, painting with live models. Went to various life classes. Because as you know we don’t get models freely here in Sri Lanka. So, that’s how I started off.

So, Iromie I know one of your paintings was actually sort of turned into a Yugoslavian stamp. How did that sort of come about?

Actually Minoli I did not design a stamp. This painting was a gift by the Sri Lankan government to the Non Alliance Countries Gallery which is in Yugoslavia in Titograd. Where all the non alliance countries had to give a painting or a sculpture. So from Sri Lanka, my painting was selected. And one year after, the Yugoslav Government printed a stamp on it.

That’s amazing.

And that’s actually the first time, painting of a Sri Lankan artist has been turned into a stamp.

That’s incredible. That must have been such a source of pride for you. I mean it’s just wonderful.

Initially I got a shock, when this was sent by the Cultural ministry to me. I had a look at it and then I realized, wow I have created history.

So Iromie tell us about, I know you said you have studied under lot of different sort of Art teachers. How did you kind of find your and develop your style?

I went to as you know all children are sent to Cora Abraham Art classes, Amarasekara Classes all that. Then actually, I started with Iva Baptist. He was a great landscape artist of Sri Lanka. I studied under him for about 5 years. Then that’s the time I was really developing this style of landscape. Then after that for my good luck, the Institute of Esthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya started the first degree program. So I was one of the first batches to get into that. And there I was able to do many different styles and also I did textile designing, leather designing and so many different like sculpture painting everything. So that gave me a very good exposure into so many different fields. Then one year after I won a scholarship to America and that’s where I further technique of painting and sculpture. And also I did bronze casting there as well.

My goodness! You have done quite a lot.

But now I don’t do that anymore. I am a full time painter. But that’s how I have been doing it you know. Experimenting a lot. And then finally arrive at yes what you want to do.

So, where does your inspiration come from? When you sit down with a blank canvas, how do you kind of think this is what I want to do or this is…

Actually I start sketching when I go out. I’m always with my sketch book. I start sketching and then I come back to my studio and I get it on to the canvas. But what really inspires me are the village life and women. Village life and people. And also the cultural aspect of Sri Lanka.

Which is wonderful. I think we have such a diverse range of different subject matter to cover. Being such an incredible Island. I mean you must have a lot to pick and choose from.

Well there was a time when I had different styles. I was also very much into temple painting. And that was the Kandyan period which was really interested in. So I was influenced by the temple painting as well. And I didn’t directly copy from the temples. I used the Kandyan period style and did my own themes. That again the village life into the Kandyan period style of painting. And also I used to treat the painting the canvas like an old wall dilapidated wall. And start working on that. And the final product was it was a very old wall and you know to give the effect of the traditional temple painting. Actually the royal procession was done on that style.

Which is incredible actually. So, I mean you said you have studied sculptures as well. Is that something that you’ve sort of done? Have you done much?

I have done a few. You just have to do that whether you like it or not when you are in doing a fine arts degree. You have to do everything. And then like graphic art. Yes, you have to do everything and then its up to you in the third year and the fourth year to specialize in what you want to do.

Wow! And I also understand I mean you were telling us that you had the interest in fashion and design. I understand that you design a saree actually that was worn by one of the Miss Sri Lanka.

Yes. That was the time when I was doing one of a kind silk sarees. And this particular time this was the beauty queen and she was going to wear a peacock. She was going to dress like a peacock. And I had to do the entire saree. The Kandyan saree like a peacock and she wore it for the Miss Universe contest in Singapore. And this particular saree was also touched up with sequins and all kinds of beads and all that and it came out beautiful.

Wow! Also wanted to ask I know that you have won over 16, 17 awards throughout your career one of them being the Zonta award. What was it like to receive that? I mean how did that happen?

Is it the Zonta award?

Yes the Zonta award.

Well that I think somebody nominated my name and then there was a selected committee and that’s how I was selected for fine arts.

Did you ever think that you were going to win it? Was it something that you thought, or did it come as a complete surprise?

It was a surprise. Yes of course.

Wonderful. And I mean you’ve won numerous awards. Which I actually wanted to talk to you about. And Iromie I wanted to ask you, your work has been scapist. Is this how you work?

Not really. Actually I like to portray the Sri Lankan woman. Give her the stature of home maker, breadwinner and mother. And give that kind of a portrayal of the woman. And most often my paintings are on Women. Because women are taken for granted. And I would like to portray different women in my painting. But I am very lavish with my colours. So I just go splashing very bright colours. To give this very mundane theme something very nice and bright and happy.

Really bring it to life!

Yes.

Wonderful! And Iromie you also serve on several boards. You know University boards as well as Art Gallery boards. Could you just tell us a little bit about it?

Yes Minoli. At the moment I am on the Arts Council’s Painting & Sculpture panel. That’s by the Cultural Ministry. I am also serving on this new Art Gallery which is to be opened. That’s the AG Perera Gallery. That’s by the Visual Arts University. I am a member serving as a board member. Also I have been on various panels for judging exhibitions and I am also an external examiner for the visual arts university for their entrance examinations.

Wow! So where do you find the time to paint with all of this?

Good question. Actually I am able to multi task my work. And so I am fairly a well time managed person to some extent. So that’s how I you know manage to do all this. And plus my home, my family and what ever other social commitments.

And Iromie I mean what sort of message would you have or young budding artists? You know what would you say to them? How would you encourage them to kind of keep to their trade?

Actually we have a lot of talented artist today. As you can see all over on the street.

What’s interesting to see is that its very different forms of artists and not just one concentrating in one aspect of it.

Like what I would like to tell them is, to be a very creative and not go you know on a particular style. Not be a slave to a style but keep on experimenting. And try to not emulate their teachers and you know that is happening in a big way.  And you can’t say one from the other. Because at some point of time they are going to get stuck in that particular style and they can’t go beyond. But where as in an artist you would want to see some development. Development in style, colour, theme all that happens. But when you are a young artist you try to think that you have to emulate your teacher. Which is not the thing. Be very creative and be very free with your brush and line and form.

And find your own voice really. Which is I mean you know serving in all these board and working with all these upcoming artist it must be very rewarding see how far we’ve progressed? Or how far we’ve come.

Yes it is. But it’s very sad that we don’t get any kind of patronage for the art. We get very little. So I think its time for at least for the private sector step out and help the artist. Because we’ve got so much of talent out there.

And it would be an absolute shame to just loose it.

Yes.

What for you would you say has been one of the most I mean do you have a particular painting that is an absolute favorite of yours? Do you have one piece of art where you think “Oh my God, this is it. I love it.”

Yes there are about two or three which I have kept in my collection. And I won’t part with it. I have been having people ringing me and asking are you ready to sell it now and I say no. Yes there are paintings really get very attached to.

And I mean when you have an exhibition and you have got all this fabulous work. It must be quite hard to actually to part with it.

Yes it is, it is. Because you take so much of time and pride doing that and then suddenly. Well it has happened to me where I have sold it and then I think “Oh my God. What have I done?”. Because there are pieces where you, I mean I do one of a kind. I don’t go on mass producing my work. So once it’s gone its gone.

I mean it must also be very incredible when you go somewhere and you see a piece of your art and you know and there being appreciated by people who have bought it. It must sort of give you a real sort of wonderful feeling. A sense of pride.

Yes. It often happens.

Iromie I also understand that your work has been selected by the Presidential Collection. I mean that must have been an incredible experience. How did that happen?

Actually there was a team that was collecting paintings for the presidential collection. And two of my paintings were selected for that. And it’s hanging in the President’s house.

Have you been able to see them after that on the wall?

No.

I think you should invite her over!

And also there was also a painting of mine gifted to the prime minister of India. Those were moments you know where you feel good.

Yes, those sort of moments. Highlights of your career really. You’ve had many, I was just reading about you the other day and I was like my goodness you have had an amazing career. And hopefully you know we will be seeing a lot more of your work as well. How many painting would you say you do sort of within a year? You kind of sit down and say ok I’m gonna paint when ever it inspires me or do you think sort of I need to do ‘x’ amount or how do? I am really interested in the process.

What happens Minoli is that no I don’t have a number. It’s just that I work practically every day. I start work in the morning. My day starts at 5 o’ clock in the morning and once I drop my daughter in school I start working. And then again I don’t paint after she comes home. And then in the night again. I work till 1 o’clock 2 o’ clock it depends.

Wow! And wake up at 5.

Yes.

My goodness!

There are days like that. It doesn’t happen every day. But there are days. That’s the time I don’t get disturbed and I can work. There are no numbers I can work so many paintings for the week. I actually work on about three paintings at a time.

Oh really. So you’ve got a…

Yes.

Wow that’s really interesting.

Yes, so it’s not that I finish one painting and then take the next.

That must be quite. I find it very interesting actually I really want to ask you about your creative inspiration. Have you come from an artistic family? An artistic background? Or are the only sort of

Oh no my mother is very creative. I think I got my talents from her. She can put her hand into anything. She does porcelain painting to various creative things.

And do you also sort of when you’re working. I’m sure you must have a special space that you work in. Are people you know is it totally enclosed in the house or are people  allowed to pop in and see you while your working?

No.  Unfortunately not. I close my door in my studio. And it like kind of meditation you know. I am with my canvas and my paints. And I do not like to be disturbed. I don’t answer the phone and my maids don’t come and ask whether, I have very strict instructions till 1, 1.30 they are not allowed to speak to me. Because that’s my only precious time for working. And I just cant afford to get disturbed during that time. And so it’s a wonderful source I mean to be with your self. Your studio, your work, your paints and that’s it.

Wonderful. Iromie you’ve said that Art is the ideal sort of job or the ideal thing for a woman to get into. Tell us why you feel that way.

Because you can schedule your own time. You can work from home. And that’s something really good. Because you don’t have to go to office. You are your own boss. And then you can work at your own time space.

And how do you deal I mean in with your fans. I know you have a lot of them. We met quite a few of them while doing the research for the show. I mean how do you sort of deal with being a sort of celebrity I guess in your own right.

Well. It’s nice. It’s really nice. Nice meeting people. I have people ringing me from places like Anuradhapura and Kandy who wanted to come and see my, they are all most welcome. They do come and its very nice to see people who appreciate your work and admire work and encourage you.

Which is lovely and have you as an artist have you been influenced by lots of different artist? Who would you say has been a big influence in your life?

I think Amrita Shergill of India. She was a very very strong artist. And she was also painting women. And I think she has influenced my work quite a bit.

Wonderful. Iromie, I wanted to ask you actually about your husband. Because a friend of yours actually told us that he’s like your good luck charm. Which I thought was a really lovely sentence.

Actually she would have said that because everything of mine. I graduated after I got married. I won all my awards after I got married. And everything to do with my art exhibitions other that the one I had in 1973 when I was in School, and also in 1978 was my very first international show where my mother accompanied me to Bombay. Other than that everything else happened after I got married. So that may be why she would have said that.

So how did you two meet?

I think it was way back in 1974 I think. A common friend introduced us.

Ok, wonderful. Was it love at first sight?

Yes of course it was something like a Romeo and Juliet story.

Oh really? Why don’t you tell us a little bit more?

No, I don’t think so. I’m such a private person.

And you have a daughter as well. She’s in school at the moment?

Yes.

How old is she?

She is 17 years.

Ok wow. And is she following your foot steps? In the sense is she also quite creative?

Yes, she is very good at drawing. I wouldn’t encourage her to do that. Because it is a difficult profession to be in. And it needs a lot of commitment a lot of hard work and it depends whether your style is going to be accepted whether you are going to make the grade. So I just let het go on her own.

Wonderful and what do you do when you are not painting? Relax and sort of take a break?

I would like to take an architectural digest book.  Its like therapy for me. I just take that and keep flipping through the pages and read about the various designers, the architects, interior designers. In fact that is really a good source for me to relax with.

Iromie do you think if you weren’t an artist. If you weren’t a painter do you think you would have liked to go into architecture?

I would have. I think my father wanted me at one point. But I’m very bad at numbers. That’s why it works out very well for me to be married to a Chartered Accountant. Because he does my figures and my all that kind of thing.

You know throughout your career, I’m just gonna go back to this again. I know we touched a little bit about this a bit earlier. You said you had an international exhibition in Bombay. Have you had any others after that overseas or?

Oh yes. It’s plenty. I’ve had in Yugoslavia, in Bulgaria, India. Of course Singapore, London, Paris.

My God! So you have been around the world. And do you sort of, how does that process work. Do you get invited to come and exhibit? Or a Gallery contacts you?

Yes. Most of this has been cultural exchanges with the two countries. Sri Lanka and all these countries. And I have gone for some private exhibitions also. But most of them have been you know with this cultural exchanges.

And when you’re sort of selecting your work, I mean do you think about the place you are going before you decide what art to take? Or what’s the process involved behind that when you exhibit? Do you look at your pieces of work and say well I think this would kind of go really well with that audience or do you just take the one you like?

No, not really. I exhibit only when I have a good selection. Or a good collection. So it depends at that time and what I have and that’s how it goes.

And Iromie, do you sort of do people kind of contact you and sort of commission work from you as well?

Oh yes. I work with interior designers. And apart from that, yes I do get a lot of commission work.

And so I mean do people kind of say I would really like these colours or I would like, I mean do you sort of portray work as well?

No I don’t to portrait work at all. I have people from overseas sending photographs, sitting areas and their offices and various places. And that’s how I start working with my overseas buyers. Because they are so very particular. Recently, I had even people sending me like this colour patches and upholstery and everything.

Wow! SO that must help as well. It must be really nice to see this space that you are creating.

And tell us a little bit more on your Romeo actually. I want to touch on your husband a little bit again. Your good luck charm. How many years have you been married for?

29 years.

Wow!

Yes, we got married in 1980.

And does your husband also dowel in and creative, Is he a creative person as well or?

No, he is my best critic. Well he is very supportive. And encourages me a lot. When he does not see a painting on the easel he asks how come you have not painted today. Very supportive and encourages me. At the same time he criticizes my work as well which I really need. And yes, that’s how it goes. He gives me all the freedom and time to work.

Which is wonderful.

Yes, because you need hours and hours of time at your easel and you can’t just afford to work for a few hours and leave your brush aside and go off. So that means there must be a little bit of you know neglect ion the home front. May be. I try not to. But you know you never know.

But it’s wonderful. It is very important to have a man behind you who supports and actually understands what you’re doing.

And now Iromie we are gonna have a look at what your friends and piers have to tell about you. It’s all good I promise.

Iromie I met het as a painter. As an artist somewhere before at Senaka’s gallery. No 1, like her painting very much. And unlike other artists she’s very helpful and cooperative with us. And she promoted me in the SAARC art meet somewhere in 2002 if I have not mistaken 2003. Before that I have been selling in India also but after participating in SAARC Art Meet with Iromie, my painting appreciated in value. Its more than 5 fold I was able to fetch. And I am really thankful to her for that matter. And where as the painting is concerned she uses the Pallet knife technique. She was demonstrating how she does. And this is secret or trade secret. She said there is nothing called secret. Its only your talent and how you do it. And I have no hesitation in talking with her. In my career and my personal draw backs and tragedies. Recently also a problem cropped up when it came to a selling of a painting. And she advised me how do you do the commission work. Meaning if someone tells you to do anything particularly for them, and I had some problem with that. She helped me out on that problem.

Iromie is a lovely person. Very quiet, very sweet person. What lot of people don’t know about her is that she helps lot of other less privileged artists. She I know personally that she has helped a lot of people financially and all that but big talk about it. All very you know hush hush. And there have been a number of instances where she went out of her way to help people who are involved with art. You know financially and other wise. She’s a wonderful friend. Ever ready to help you in anything. There was an occasion where a painting, my mother is also an artist you know and there was a painting my mom had done which had got slightly damaged and I just called her, I said Iromie is there anything you can do to touch this painting up and in a flash she said Ah bring it over and she’s very helpful, very nice, she’s a wonderful person. And we know her husband as well. They are both a very nice couple. I believe that he is her good luck charm because after she became Iromie Wijewardene things began to happen in her life.

For sometime now, I have commissioned Iromie to do painting for me for some of my interior décor projects. I’ve known her to be a very easy person to work with. Very accommodative. And really a pleasure to work with her. Her commitment is such that she would visit the sites and study the project and have a number of meetings with me regarding colour concept, themes before she would come up with any of her paintings. The final product. I have taken a number of foreign clients to see her work and they have been very impressed with her paintings. She’s very polite, very kind and as I said she is very accommodative with work and is a very gentle person. I can say she is a nice friend a nice person to be with.

Lots of lovely things they had to say about you. I think the main thing that came through is that you seem to help a lot of people. Young, budding, upcoming artists. You don’t seem to talk about it but we’re gonna talk about it on this show.

Well Minoli, as you go along. When you reach a particular height, its time we help the others also to get up to that point.

Yes, give something back. And so do you have like your young students that you work with?

Actually I used to have a school of Art. 17 years ago, when my daughter was born I closed it down. So I used to have university students coming and doing their internships. That was the time I was doing textile designing as well. So they used to come actually on the textile design side. For their designing and printing projects. So I used to help people like that. And there used to be students coming from the Peradeniya University where they are given an assignment and they have chosen to do some writing on my work.  So they need a lot of information from me. So I have students like that coming in as well.

Iromie I just want you to give me the first answer that pops into your head. Are you ready?

Yes.

A tree, a waterfall or a human figure. Where do you think the most beauty lies?

Human figure.

Is there a song that would best describe you?

Can’t think of anything.

Are you ever rude to strangers?

No, I don’t think so. Hope not.

Which do you think is harder? To tell someone that you don’t like them or to tell someone you like them?

The first.

What would you do, free of charge?

Touching up paintings.

What would be the first thing you would do if you saw two people fighting on the street?

I would get away from that. I wouldn’t want to be there.

Is the glass half empty or half full?

Half empty.

How do you respond to negative criticism?

Very well. Its very welcomed.

I’m terrible with that!

Being an artist you have to. Because all the time you have criticism.

What career other than your own would you have liked to have tried?

Architecture.

What’s your favorite colour?

Turquoise blue.

Wow. That’s a lovely strong colour. Well that was it. That was the dreaded 10. Unfortunately, we’ve got to the end of the program. Which is a shame but thank you so much Iromie for coming on. It’s been a really, I had a lovely time chatting to you and thank you very much. I hope you enjoyed as well.

Thank you Minoli.