Could you describe briefly your journey from your place of birth to Copenhagen/Denmark today?
I left Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1995 and migrated to Canada. Sri Lanka was embroiled in a long civil war, and bloody violence was a regular occurrence in the city. My parents made arrangements for me to live with some relatives in Toronto. It was a long and frightening journey to make on my own into unknown territory and it was many years before I saw my parents again. Nonetheless, I thrived in Canada. Toronto is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world and very welcoming of immigrants. There was every opportunity to grow as a person. I went on to do my law degree there and pursue a successful career in the legal field.
Since arriving in Copenhagen in 2013, I have been pursuing my Masters in Law at the University of Copenhagen, while still striving to learn Danish and expanding my creative and artistic endeavours. In contrast to Canada, I do find Denmark far more challenging in terms of language and the general ability to integrate effectively into society.
How have your life experiences, and your journey, influenced your art over the years?
My mother was a self taught artist and I grew up surrounded by beautiful art. I am strongly influenced by her style and approach as well as renowned Sri Lankan artists such as Senaka Senanayake and Semage. My art is driven first and foremost by everything I have seen, felt and experienced during the course of my life in different countries and situations. As such, my subject usually reflects people’s daily routines and a comment on human nature. In my art I try to capture the beauty of the mundane in people and circumstances. Different and vivid colours allow me to express different ideas, memories, and emotions while working on a painting. I grew up in a loving home and attended a great school, however, during the civil war I saw and experienced great tragedy. Witnessing violence and death are vivid in my memory, which I consciously try not to recall and is difficult for me to speak of. However, these conflicting memories of love and hate and everything in-between creates a tension within me which I try to portray through my paintings. I do not intentionally set out to make a profound statement, but over time a pattern has developed that I am pleased with.
What is your favourite piece that is being exhibited / was exhibited, played or read during Artival 2016, and what is the history behind it?
I am attached to all my paintings. However amongst the ones exhibited in Artival, I would say the woman in green waiting by the door against a red wall symbolizes many things to me. I often paint memories of my childhood in Asia and remember its vivid colours and vibrancy in the simplicity of daily life. I call it “The Wait” because she is waiting for the monsoon to arrive, which is the rainy season following a period of intense heat. The gentle breeze blowing her saree around tells her the weather is changing. It is also a statement of life being in a state of flux and no situation stays the same. This painting also emblematic of my paintings that attempt to convey the sense of loneliness and yearning I have felt in adjusting to new environments and cultures. The simplicity and starkness of the colours, for me, show a lack of worldly possessions and the importance of loving the small blessings in life.
The Wait, 50 x 60cm, oil on canvas, 1,950 DKK
What has your participation in Artival 2016 meant to you personally, and to your life as an artist in Denmark?
I strongly believe that artists from different backgrounds and cultures have a lot to contribute to a society. I was thrilled to come across an artist call for Artival 2016. I believe every artist has a message and my participation in Artival gave me the opportunity to see and hear these messages from various artists and audiences. I am grateful to Artival for having given me this tremendous occasion to make myself heard, and meet some extraordinary individuals. Artival also served as a shining beacon of a reminder that although we come from so many different countries, we are on this journey together.
Evangelene is pursuing her Masters in Law at University of Copenhagen and continues to work on a blend of Asian and European themed paintings.See more of Evangelene’s work at Eastern Echo Art
Alessandra’s paintings are part of the ongoing Artival 2016 exhibition at PH Caféen, Halmtorvet 9A, Vesterbro until 30 October 2016.
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 – 22.00
