A spotlight on Sri Lanka's one and only wax statue sculptor Athula Herath who has made life-size creations of Malani, Victor and Mahendra.

Athula Herath of Gampola is indeed a national asset that should be treasured. The self-made wax statue sculptor who indulges in this unique art has made life -size wax statues of Screen Queen Malani Fonseka, veteran singer Victor Rathnayake and award-winning actor Mahendra Perera. In an exclusive interview with Reel Life on the three wax statues, Athula talks about his creative talent and the stumbling blocks in this rare field of art.

 

What inspired you to embark on such a delicate art?

I had been very fond of sculpting from my early childhood. My mother was a teacher. When I was a grade two student I remember helping my mother in her school's arts exhibition by drawing and sculpting. Despite all this awareness, my mother wanted to make me  a doctor someday. In 1983 I joined the Sri Lanka Air Force and served it for 12 years. In 1994 I joined the Oman Air Force and worked for three and a half years. I met a British Interior Designer there and I helped him in his work.

 

 

I followed an 18-month course on interior designing when I returned to Lanka. But the turning point in my life came when I came across a magazine about Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London. That really inspired me and for seven years I found my own raw materials and carried out my own experiments  making hundreds of wax faces. The hard work, dedication and commitment has yielded positive results today.

 

Why did you make Mahendra Perera's life-size wax statue as your maiden creation?

It was my first venture and I was nervous too. Mahendra was also my favourite actor. I was delighted when Mahendra and his family visited my home and expressed satisfaction over this creation. It was then suggested to create a wax figure of Joe Abeywickrema but my financial constraints prevented me from doing so. To the best of my knowledge I am the only one in Sri Lanka who engages in this art.

 

 

How long does it generally take to complete such a creation and how do you extract vital details and statistics?

It took me one and a half years to complete Mahendra's statue. I used to have long chats with him and during those talks I studied vital details like his expressions and other key postures. I also studied several photographs of Mahendra before embarking on the task. I completed Malani Fonseka's wax statue in six months. She was also glad about the creation and had shown the photographs to President Mahinda Rajapaksa too. Then I did the wax statue of Victor Rathnayake. I am grateful to his family members for providing me a lot of assistance.

 

Are you only focusing on artistes?

No, I hope to create similar wax statues of sports stars, artistes both present and the past. I am sure I could make a name in the international scene if I am given an opportunity. I hope to create statues of Martin Wickremasinghe, Ediriweera Sarachchandra, H. R. Jothipala and President Mahinda Rajapksa. I also hope to create statues of our past heroes of this country.

 

 

What kind of assistance do you get from the government or on personal level?

Vogue Jewellers offered me a  small sponsorship for Victor Rathnayake's statue. I have heard that a wax statue at the London museum costs about Rs. 20 million but since I had to find my own resources to make these statues I have not really made a proper evaluation about my costs. It is my ardent passion that drove me to do so. I have not got any support from the government or the private sector in terms of monetary offers.

 

What are the key traits a person should have when engaging in this kind of art?

He should be extremely sensitive in the first place, possess a sharp eye and also be very patient. I feel I am such a person. My wife Buddhika Dassanayake and 19-year-old son Mahima Pivithuru Herath help me in my ventures and I am so grateful to them.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake has allocated space to build a 'wax gallery' in Kandy. He promised to intervene in getting state support to create wax statues of prominent artistes and distinguished personalities to be displayed there. Work on the building has begun but it would serve little purpose without wax statues. I hope the government or private sector would come forward to support this unique mission. This will certainly turn out to be a much sought after tourist attraction. I want to add some educational value by introducing a profile linked to each wax statue.

 

 

What kind of assistance do you expect?

I am a self-made man in this field. I find all my resources on my own. Besides my wife and son, I have no assistants. Every part of wax statues are made by me. I feel I could have done better had I studied the subject abroad. I don't posses the very first statue I made because I was forced to melt it to make another creation. Honestly speaking I am not rich enough to take this art forward.

“I am grateful to Mahendra Perera, Malani Fonseka, Victor Rathnayake, Sarath Ekanayake, lecturer Thushara Kamalratne, Attorney Nilupul Kumari Jayasundera and Krishanthi Jayawardana of Shaini Salon, for motivating me at all times. I am also thankful to the media which take this message to the masses,” he said.

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja