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Semage's theme is kindred, and his creations may be seen in the Buddhist Viharas of Malaysia, Singapore and Penang, and the shrine room of the People's Bank, H.Q., Colombo. To say that they belong to a common niche is not to say that they are works alike; and Semage has been the most prolific. Over ten solo -exhibitions, participated at a few more locally and abroad (ranging from Spain and USSR, to Japan and Korea), the creation of window displays, temple murals (as refereed to), interior decor, permanent decorations, pieces at various institutions such as star hotels, embassies etc., have made Semage outstand among contemporary local artists. In addition he is also a specialist at the creations of Thoranas (Pandols or decorative archways). And they are really stupendous works - the one erected to mark the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka's political independence being over 40 meters long and over six meters in height. Almost colossal were the thoranas that he erected at the Gam - Udawa festival sites over a decade ago. The awards that he has now range over a period of approximately half a century.
This considerable record of activity is reflective of the intense appreciation of his works by the local and foreign connoisseurs over a few continuous decades, and the reasons are many. Primarily, Semage is an artist born (and not much "made"), and it was natural that he passed all six examinations held by the Royal Academy of Arts, London with Distinction and held his first solo - exhibition as a school boy.
If he was 'done' thus, he was also 'born' in this country - which is to say, that he is turned to the representation of the sensitivity of the people, their cultural traditions and the flow of nature's own beauty that he experiences in his environment. The curve evident in the temple art impressed him as a child, and it is the curve that is supreme in his creations. It is the curve that joins harmony and beauty to bring out the shapes of females, males and animals in diverse poses, and trees and creepers, leaves and flowers in rhythmic arrangements - all pulsating with life. And colours - for what is art (and nature) without colours! and it is in the choice and the blending of colours - whether in a small framed work selected for an exhibition or in a gigantic out-door creation. Semage stands out, as did Nandalal Bose and Ananda Samarakone in their days. Never garish, and always soft to the eye, his choice of pigments is an object lesson in propriety. Each delicately and in consonance with the flow of his curves, that one's eyes are made to glide over them with the ease of a butterfly on the wing.
Semage is not only creative, but also is adept in the use and adaptation of traditional Sinhala art motifs, specially in the large - scale out - door work in which he engages in periodically. In his occasional line work by which he brings out the features of a female bust stylized, and in the manner in which he fills spaces one recognizes his alignment with certain features of this sittara genre.
Semage, nevertheless, is no camp - follower. He has learnt a few things from a few people and places, just like any other artist - an inescapable phenomenon of particularly the present times. But he is not any one of them - he is Semage - artist of Sri Lanka, and of the world as well.
- Prof. V. Vitharana (23.04.2000)
Jayasiri Semage through his exhibitions and other creations, has earned a name as an artist with an outstanding local touch.His creations are seen in the Buddhist Viharas in Malaysia, Singapore and Penang and the shrineroom of the People's Bank Headquarters in Colombo and at the Women's Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Army. His work is on permanent display at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.
He has had over 10 solo-exhibitions, both locally and abroad (ranging from Spain and USSR, to Japan and Korea), His creative window displays, temple murals, interior decor, permanent decorations etc. have made Semage's reputation among contemporary local artists. He has also specialised in the creation of Pandols (decorative archways) - most of which are really stupendous works: The one erected to mark the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka's political independence was over 40 metres long and over six metres in height.
Semage has also been influenced by Picasso, but it is more in his cubist style than content.He being, a devout Buddhist following the Middle Path, also paints religious themes."Glorious Victroy", depicts the Buddha's Enlightenment as a victory over the demonic forces of Mara in almost carricature style, makes it easy to communicate to the masses.Infact, his style is traditional but modern, figurative, linearly defined and precise...
His pigments are soft earth and pastel-toned. The figures are curvaceous and easy on the eyes, harmonious compositions with rhythmic designs.
This considerable record of activity is reflective of the intense appreciation of his works by the local and foreign connoisseurs over a few decades.Semage is a born artist and it was with this talent that he passed all six examinations held by the Royal Academy of Arts, London with Distinction and held his solo-exhibition as a schoolboy.
Semage was born in a small fishing village in the South and as a self-taught artist is not ashamed of his roots. "As a native villager I've retained many picturesque images from my childhood. Village men and women, as well as children still linger in my memory" recalls Semage.
He has learnt a few things from a few people and places, just like any other artist - an inescapable phenomenon of particularly the present times. But he is different - he is Semage - artist of Sri Lanka, and of the world as well.
- Mrs. Arundathie Abeysinghe (04.02.2001)
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