Saying 'hello' in colour

By Risidra Mendis

Viewing a work of art is essentially a dialogue between the artist and the viewer. However when the dialogue between the artist and the viewer becomes more reflective and meditative it has succeeded in creating a great impact on the viewer.

Nihal Sangabo Dias's paintings of landscapes and seascapes at first glance seem to be very familiar. Scenes of stilt fishermen, children fishing by the lake, boats sailing on the river and the scenic beauty of village life are overly familiar to most of us. However according to art lovers it does take courage for a painter to paint the familiar and common places, because it involves giving the viewer insights which the latter may not have imagined before.

Dias's painting of two stilt fishermen at twilight is fascinating. The fishermen are perched precariously - one hand casting a line and the other clinging to the stilt pole with the foaming waves alongside and the dark deep pulsating waves before. "Perhaps Dias is empathising with all those who earn their daily sustenance in the most trying circumstances. Some of us have harboured  dreams of being a stilt fisherman for a day. To them this painting would be an unforgettable experience" say the critics.

The painting Nikan Innawa is of two small boys ostensibly fishing with rod and line by the village lake. The two boys seem to be interested in exchanging pleasantries and enjoying a lazy lakeside afternoon. In some of his paintings, Dias underlines the importance of  doing nothing in particular.

Dias's seascapes at dawn, noon and dusk are soothing and well executed. Through a clever use of colour the waves are transformed from a pleasant light greenish blue in the morning to an ominous blackish blue at dusk.

This is Dias's sixth exhibition since 1995. he has held exhibitions in Germany and Sweden and has won the International Quality Gold Award in Geneva in 2004 and the Worldwide Quality Award 21st Century in Argentina in 2004.

Dias is deaf by birth. However he has an able spokesperson, his wife Sujani. Dias's exhibitions are truly  testimony to the triumph of the human spirit. His art deserves our serious consideration and his exhibition is well worth visiting.  

Nihal Sangabo Dias's painting exhibition Nihanda Jeewa 2005 will be held at the Felix Gallery, 75,  Alexandra Place Colombo 7 on August 21 and 22.