Dr. Milinda Salpitikorala’s interest in the visual arts dates as far back as he can remember. Encouraged by his parents, what started as a hobby has snowballed over the years into an infatuation so strong it has resulted in a unique line of t-shirts (also designed by Dr. Salpitikorala) and an exhibition of his best artwork (sketches, acrylic and digital work) from past to present on the horizon.

On his art, the self taught artist said, “It was something I could do. I would collect money and buy comic books, which has greatly influenced my art. I have never been to an art class.”

 

 

Talking about the early days, visual art was kept as a “plan b” of sorts, should the medical path not pan out but for ‘Doc’ as he’s more often called, fortune has left him balancing both art and medicine and never mixing the two: “I love both equally, but so far it’s the doctor that earns the bread not the artist.”

He also attributes the genres of rock and metal as the “sound track” to his art, drawing influence mostly from bands like Iron maiden, Opeth, Rudra, Arch Enemy and Lamb of God as well as artists like Hour Giger and Athula Siriwardene. Having successfully completed a t-shirt launch earlier this year, the Doc now embarks on his biggest undertaking yet; Skzin and Bones: An Exhibition of Art and Design which will be on display and up for sale at the Lionel Wendt Harold Pieris Gallery. Admission is free and apart from displaying his art, the good doctor will also give space for up and coming artists to showcase their talent.

 

 

Talking about the medieval aspects in his artwork, Doc puts it quite simply, “I like drawing things we don’t get to see anymore and we have to imagine how it would have been. Some have the whole story in one picture, while others just capture a moment.”

 

 

He added that the exhibition will feature three special drawings, a continuing series called, ‘An ancient love story’.  The Doc also dabbles in aliens and the paranormal, with his own interesting theory about the origin of the alien figures we’re accustomed to seeing.

And about the future he says, “Honestly, I have no plan. All I want to do is create art. Nothing gives me grater satisfaction and I will continue to draw for as long as I can.”

 

Skzin and Bones: An Exhibition of Art and Design which will be on display and up for sale at the Lionel Wendt Harold Pieris Gallery Colombo 03 on 26 and 27th May 2012 from 10a.m. to 7p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

By Lake Argent