Walter Kalasooriya

Walter Kulasooriya is a Sri-Lankan painter and curator of the Visiki Art Gallery.

Life

Walter Kulasooriya was born on April 11, 1945, in the fishing village of Demataluwa, Sri Lanka. He studied at the College of Fine Arts in [Colombo] , and under such artists as Stanley Abeysinghe, David Paynter, S.P. Charles, Henry Dharmasena and Gunasiri Kolambage.

In addition to holding shows in his native Sri Lanka, Walter Kulasooriya has conducted successful exhibitions in the United States, Germany, Austria, Australia, and England, among other places. [ [http://www.walterk-art.info/about.html :: Visiki Art Gallery, Paintings, Art & Craft, Abstract Paintings :: ] ]

Tsunami

Kulasooriya is a survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake. He and his wife narrowly escaped with their lives, and had to hold on to a wooden pillar on the roof to keep above the waves. His paintings, however, along with the Visiki Art Gallery, were washed away.

He was a victim of looting in the aftermath of the disaster. His computer and several other items were stolen when his house was robbed.

Walter Kulasooriya is currently seeking the means to rebuild the Visiki Art Gallery. [ [http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/06/06/fea06.htm Feature ] ] With it, he hopes to introduce the craft of painting to people whose livelihood may have been devastated by the Tsunami. In being trained as professional painters, they will regain an economic independence lost with the collapse of local trade.

Style

Walter Kulasooriya works in classical, native, and modern styles. However, he does not identify himself with any particular school of painting. [ [http://www.walterk-art.info/about.html :: Visiki Art Gallery, Paintings, Art & Craft, Abstract Paintings :: ] ]

Perhaps Kulasooriya's most significant stylistic innovation has come from his Earth Color paintings. Composed with colors mixed with his own hand, using the same recipes as those employed by the painters of the Sigiriya frescoes, these works are a modern attempt to synchronize with nature. [ [http://www.metamart.biz/EN/100005570.html Visiki Arts ] ]

Guinness Record

Walter Kulasooriya gained international attention for his 100 meter painting of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve which, in 1996, was judged to be the longest painting in the world. It can be viewed at the Deer Park Hotel in Giritale. [ [http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/06/06/fea06.htm Feature ] ]

Awards

Presidential Award - 1996 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 1997 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 1998 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 1999 (Sri Lanka)

Prime Minister's Award - 1999 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 2000 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 2001 (Sri Lanka)

Highly Commended - 2001 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 2002 (Sri Lanka)

Highly Commended - 2003 (Sri Lanka)

Presidential Award - 2004 (Sri Lanka)

Prim Minister's Award - 2004 (Sri Lanka)

"Dhakshinaabhimani" Award Presented by the Southern Provincial Council of Sri Lanka - 2005 [ [http://www.walterk-art.info/about.html :: Visiki Art Gallery, Paintings, Art & Craft, Abstract Paintings :: ] ]

External links

[http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/06/06/fea06.htm] -Article in the Daily News which offers a brief bio, an account of his Tsunami experience, and a brief mention of his Guinness record.

[http://www.walterk-art.info/] -official site for the Visiki Art Gallery. Offers a bio and a gallery of the artist's paintings.

[http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2002/08/04/fea12.html] Sunday Observer article chronicling his "Shattered Barriers" exhibition.

References