Day and Beyond opened on 22 May

Public view 22 ~ 31 May

Exhibition plan at the Alliance Française Auditorium

Over the concrete wall by Ratnananthan Aroodguhan, 26 yrs (Jaffna)

Profile

Gughan was born in Jaffna. At an early age, he joined the cub-scouts and then went on to join the scouts of St. John’s College, Jaffna. This resulted in him going on venture journeys that started off his interest in photography and nature amongst other things. The year 2000 opened up a new chapter in his life, as he came to settle down in Colombo. He got an opportunity to put into practice his interest in photography and nature when Sri Lanka Telecom and Field Ornithology Group Sri Lanka started the Sinharaja Conservation Awareness Program. Gughan’s interests lie in the expression of freedom through visual art.

Concept

City life has narrowed our lives into the space within walls. Most of the time, we are inattentive to the numerous things happening around us in our absence (and sometimes even in our presence). My environment is always very busy. I observe the road that leads to the building where my apartment is. The road wakes up, stays active and then finally goes to sleep. This body of work is a narrative of that space.

Lives of pets by Dinali Cooray, 27 yrs (Colombo)

Animals are such beautiful, innocent creatures. Sadly, they are often abused and their innocence and helplessness taken advantage of by humans, who are supposed to be their 'guardians' and 'care-takers'.

My essay explores the lives of my pets (two cats and a dog). I have concentrated on the two cats, their relationship with each other and the dog, as well as with members of my family, the environment they live in, their unique habits and characteristics and also the other creatures hat they come into contact with on a daily basis. They spend their time exploring their surroundings, playing, eating, cuddling together and sleeping. That constitutes their day. Having grown up together for eight years, they seem quite oblivious to the differences between cats and dogs and are content to eat together and play together. These beautiful creatures seem so fragile, trusting and innocent, and are totally dependent on us for shelter, food as well as love and affection. They are very close to my family and we try to ensure that not only are they provided with the basic necessities of life for their survival, but

Fisherman's life by Thushantha Vidanage, 35 yrs (Panadura)

Profile

Thushantha has been in the video industry for over 15 years. He undertakes videoing and photography of weddings , however, his interest lies mostly in documentary photography. He is married and is the father of 2 sons - 6 and 4 yrs old and his wife is a Pre-school teacher. His interests are reading material on video editing, animations, computer graphics etc to gain more insight and knowledge into his area of work.

Concept

I witnessed how fishermen tumble against the waves in making a living. Some do this solely for survival, simply with the intention of having a plate of food on their table. Others go as far as daring to dream, and attempt to fulfill their dreams, and venture beyond simply surviving. Therefore, the life story of a fisherman is more often than not, very sad, demanding, tough and challenging. I clicked against this harshness, searching high and low for something that would bring some gentleness to this roughness.

My son by Niroshana De Silva, 32 yrs (Embilipitiya)

Profile

Niroshana’s personal interests include traveling around the country. Niroshana is married, with one son, Lehan who was the inspiration for this photography project. Lehan is 4 years old and will be schooling next year. Niroshana's wife, Shiranthi, is a housewife. He longs to make his family “his day” and move everything else to "beyond the day". His main area of interest in photography is documentary and he is interested in listening to music and playing drums.

Concept

My son is my world. He is a cute and a very active kid, who has marked his presence all over, with very colourful designs on every wall. Sometimes he wants to be with everyone, playing, singing, chatting, while at other times, he wants to be alone. When he is at grandma’s place, near the lake, at the playground, or with his friends, he does not feel tired at all, and he doesn't want to sleep unless he accidentally falls asleep. I attempted exploring his activities in these different spaces.

Beauty and ugliness by Sisira Gintotage, 38 yrs (Matara)

Profile

Sisira is a professional photographer, who has been in the field of photography for 25 years. He is married and his wife works at the Coconut Development Authority. He has an 8 year old son. His area of interest in photography lies mainly in landscape photography, although he also undertakes wedding photography. He is an active member of the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka. He aspires to move with technology and move into other areas of photography such as documentary.

Concept

Being an island, the blue waters surrounding Sri Lanka’s landscape further enrich her unique beauty. However, the negative attitudes and lack of initiative towards maintaining a healthy and clean environment, has resulted in increased pollution in our beaches. At the beach near my home, beauty and ugliness co-exist or are forced to do so - beauty of nature and ugliness of the produce of human activities.

Daham Pasala by Neville M Gamage, 52 yrs (Galle)

Profile

Neville is married, with 2 daughters and 2 sons. He really started to learn photography upon joining the 'Day and Beyond' Project. The photographs were taken at the Daham Pasala which his children attend. Neville’s main interest lies in documentary photography. He likes to spend most of his free time together with his family.

Concept

Daham Pasala has been at the heart of Buddhist education for generations. I too have attended the classes of Daham Pasala to which my children go now. I go there taking them and fetching them back home. Daham Pasala is a different place. Children present themselves in white. Calmness in appearance and behaviour is expected and thus prevails, blending with the tranquility inherent in a temple.

Spider Web by Muditha Adikari, 44 yrs (Pannipitiya)

Profile

Muditha is a videographer with 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Sri Lanka Telecom, he was employed at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as a videographer for 3 years. He works as a wedding photographer as well. His hobbies and interests lie in landscape videography. His innate interest in visual art and photography dragged him into the project, 'Day and Beyond'. Muditha is married and he has a daughter studying at Sujatha Vidyalaya and a son studying at Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyalaya. His wife is currently working at Ceylon Electricity Board. His vision for his career is to move into newer areas of photography.

Concept

The spider, after spinning its web, will then wait, on or near the web for a prey to get trapped in it. The spider web is a highly mechanical and wonderful construction and it is a very interesting object of art to observe and study. When its web is broken by the wind, the spider will then try to build a fresh web in harmony with what is found in the surrounding environment like a surface, a leaf etc. The struggle of the spider in the frequent rebuilding of its web in different designs each time is a beautiful and awe-inspiring process to witness.

Getting Ready by Harshana Henarath, 26 yrs (Kurunegala)

Profile

Harshana’s hometown is in Kurunegala and he studied at Maliyadewa Model School, Kurunegala. He is currently boarded at Rajagiriya. His favourite past time is watching movies and listening to music. Harshana’s interest in photography started only recently with the Day and Beyond photo project.

Concept

Even in the usual flow of things, before any activity, “getting ready” is an essential prerequisite. The daily life experience is full of “getting ready” prerequisites. Anywhere and everywhere the concept of “getting ready” exists – getting ready to go to work, for meals, for a bath, for exams, for an outing etc. In each instance, it is a “preparatory” process. At the time of “getting ready”, we sometimes tend to be busy, rushed and tensed while at other times, we are more relaxed, calm and unhurried.