An energizing sojourn in Sri Lanka

Gulshan Hossain (4th from left) and other artists seen at the Int'l Artists' Camp at Sri Lanka

"The selection for the artists' camp is usually done through the different foreign missions or through the national art academies. I myself got the foundation address through the web-site and sent my work through CDs by post. The other artist from Bangladesh was Nazia Andaleeb Prema," Gulshan said. At that camp there were other artists from European countries like Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Russia, as well as from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The other workshops that she has taken part included the one at the Shilpakala Academy, conducted by Aminul Islam in 1996, where she had learnt painting and art appreciation.

Asked if the group consisted of fairly young artists or more important ones, Gulshan said that they were all young except for a Dutch artist. "The workshop was a very organized one. We had our reception at a famous gallery there and after the introduction, the next day we were taken 175 kilometers away from Colombo to a village, which was beside a placid lake, and surrounded by picturesque hills. Each of the participants had quaint cottages of their own to -- live and work in for the period of the workshop, but on a vast lawn. We were told to bring our own materials, such as paints and canvases: I had taken with me my acrylics, oils, paper pieces and canvases. The camp comprised of ten days, after which, for four days in Colombo, we had our exhibition at a renowned gallery. The envoys of different countries from which the artists had participated were present for that semi-formal function."

Each evening, artists from each country presented their work, with lectures and question-answer sessions, she said. "The artists naturally introduced their lectures," she added, "with background information about their country and their leading artists as well as the essence of the contemporary art work of their country. The slides helped to illustrate our talks, as in my case." They each spoke of their aims, subjects, styles, themes and mediums from 6.30 pm to 9 pm. Every evening they were told about the area where they would be taken for having a slice of the Colombo cultural activities." We went to Sirigiria, Polonalia and Dambula for a taste of ancient Sri Lankan architectural feats. We studied the cave frescos and the royal castles, Gulshan said, "The furniture and attire of the royalty, which were on display, also gave us a good idea of the lifestyle of the kings and queens of Sri Lanka, which were rich experiences."

Asked if they could study in depth the range of Sri Lankan fine arts, Gulshan said, "I felt that they are definitely lagging behind us, as regards a progressive outlook: this maybe due to their constant socio-economic and political turmoil." Yet, Gulshan remarked, the fact that they hold such a camp every year -- that benefits foreign artists too -- is very much to their credit. "Of course," Gulshan said, "they too benefit from such a cultural exchange." Elaborating on the benefits they had enjoyed, Gulshan added that they had been treated to buffet meals, while the passage fairs to and from Sri Lank, (except in cases such as hers, as she'd gone on own initiative, following the invitation). Every evening meant regaling with cultural functions, for which the Sri Lankan authorities paid, and this too was a bonus.