Royden O. Gibbs, a gifted artist, has marvelously captured many historical places of Sri Lanka through his art. As an individual interested in history, architecture and humanity he gives us a glimpse of past glories, some of which unfortunately have disappeared over time. He has an impressive collection of paintings of lighthouses from all across Sri Lanka. He was also the first artist to travel to the northeast during the war, to capture unique perspectives even during such turbulent times. An unassuming individual who makes friends wherever he goes, he is invariably mistaken for a tourist when he travels across the country.
Gibbs has been passing on his passion for art to many students throughout the years. He is helping his current students organise an exhibition of their paintings on April 5, 2018, at the Alliance Francaise, Barnes Place, Colombo 07.
Below are some of the students in their own words;
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– Lal Chandranath |
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– Ms. Veeranthi Wijemanne |
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– Ms. Keshani De Silva |
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– Ms. Renuka Mendis |
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– Hansaja Devnith |
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– Ms. Malinka Samarasinha |
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– Ms. Dharsha Samarasinha |
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– Wasantha K Siriwardena |
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– Ms. Manel Ratnayake |
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– Ms. Dianthi Uragoda |
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– Gamini Fernando |
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– Ms. Lilani de Silva |
“I am told that I had a love for art in my early school years. In my long corporate career, although I couldn’t find time for art, I kept up the interest as I had the opportunity to visit many art galleries around the world. About five years ago I was told that art would help alleviate my stressful lifestyle. After some guidance from the great Royden Gibbs, I finally started painting. Did it help with my stress? Yes it did. Now that I’m retired I hope to spend a little more time in this pursuit. However, I guess I’ll continue to be a dilettante as far as art goes! Let’s see where this takes me.”
“Coming from a family of artists who dabbled in art at different points in their lives, it was very much instilled in me that I could draw. My uncle, the late Asoka A. Gunawardhana, was my first teacher. Since then I have studied under many great teachers, but never had enough time to settle down to finish a collection of paintings worth exhibiting, until I met my excellent teacher Royden Gibbs. Watercolour is a wonderful medium and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. I am happy and proud to be part of this team displaying our wonderful skill for all to see.“
“The distinctive ability acquired throughout my career as an architect, to feel and perceive inner splendour and reality, inspired me to create this series of landscapes. Besides, I find that sitting still in a site, admiring minuscule details and painting with watercolour on a blank paper for hours is the perfectly tested method of relaxation for myself, as well as the ultimate cure for my soul. Thus, through my work I wish not only to initiate a spark in people’s heart to appreciate the genuine inward significance of everything in our lives, but also to gift them a sense of peace and well-being.”
“Art had been a distant dream for me being a mother of three sons, while working full time. Long have I wished to pursue my dream as an artist, until I was introduced to Mr. Gibbs by my friend Mrs. Mendis. I was very inspired by him and his work. I joined his class four months ago. I somehow manage to find time for painting and as the old saying goes, better late than sorry.”
“Painting is not just a blend of mere colours and strokes, it gives us a deeper insight. I started drawing and painting when I was nine years old, capturing on paper what was before my eyes. I started entering competitions and won national awards. In 2017, I won an international award – the Toyota Dream Car silver medal in Japan. That was a wonderful moment in my life. I found art as precious and valuable as emeralds and dearer than fine opals. It was a pleasure me to sit the green and watch the sun in his chariot of gold. Hats off and dearest thanks to my master, Royden Gibbs. I’m overwhelmed and very delighted to take part in this exhibition.”
“I have always been very much interested in art, especially watercolours. Under the guidance of my teacher Roydon O. Gibbs I am learning the use of different techniques and this has been very useful for me since I am doing art as a subject in school. Art has made me look at things from a different perspective. I have learned to be more observant of little things, be it the colour of the sky or cloud formations or shadows, etc., which I had not bothered to notice in detail before. I hope to continue art despite my studies since it makes me a happier person.”
“I was interested in art from a very young age. My interest in art was rekindled under the guidance of Roydon O. Gibbs. I am mainly interested in learning the different techniques in watercolour, which is a very interesting and challenging medium. I have done a few still life and landscapes in watercolour and hope to expand to other mediums in the future. Getting involved in art has made me observe and appreciate the things around me, especially nature, in a more detailed way. My hope is to continue this effort, which brings happiness and a sense of achievement to me.”
“Over the past 29 years I made a name for myself in the field of print media and have won several awards as a political cartoonist and as a newspaper and graphics designer. One of my childhood dreams was to become a top class painter and to achieve this dream I sought guidance from the legendary painter Roydon Gibbs a few years ago. This marks the first time that some of my work will be on display in an exhibition.”
“I have always been interested in art/paint/colour. Bit I had really never thought about learning it, until my children left home and I had time on my hands. I was introduced to Royden Gibbs by a former student of his. He has encouraged and guided me to paint, and mostly to have the confidence to express myself. I am very thankful to him for that and for showing me the ‘tricks’ of the trade.”
“My mother inspired me to take up art as an adult when she handed me my old Botany and Zoology practical school books, which she had kept as souvenirs. My very first teacher was Mrs. Lathifa Ismail and I am very grateful to her. While going through a turbulent period in life, art gave me the peace and quiet I needed. A few years ago, my mother reminded me not to give up painting. After her demise, I decided to heed her advice. I was introduced to Mr. Royden Gibbs, who inspired me to improve myself with his passion for art and his enthusiasm. Art is the best stress reliever and gives me lots of joy and happiness.”
“In my experience, there is no subject more fascinating, more illusive nor captivating as art. I had a desire for art from my school days, having won the college art prize in 1961, at St. Thomas’ College, Guruthalawa. I continued to further enhance my abilities by joining the then famous Amarasekera Academy of Art. After three decades, I had a fortuitous meeting with Royden Gibbs at an art exhibition. Under his inspiring tutelage I have happily started painting again.”
“As an engineer, who has worked in Africa and Asia in the management of cross-border multidisciplinary projects with multicultural, multiethnic workgroups, I found that art is a cohesive medium that permeates across geographies, cultures and ethnicities – a common language that binds humanity. My desire to learn to draw stems from a passion to capture and share the extraordinary beauty found in the detail of what cursorily seems mundane and ordinary. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to train under Roydon Gibbs, one of the best watercolorists of our time, and is determined to make the best of it.”