Bhagya Perera
End of the Day
“Horses are some of the most hard working animals of the modern age ever since 4000 BCE humans began domesticating them for various activities, mainly for riding in warfare.
At the end of the day, if we look closer at the horse, we can see how tired they are from our demands. When I saw the original photo, the idea hooked me. This is the idea that gave it its theme.
I wanted to show the sadness and exhaustion on its sullen eyes and how its lowered head position reflects his feeling on the painting. The shaded colour pallet is used to reflect the emotions the horse feels after a hard day's work.”
The Stare
“Lions are classified as vulnerable animals by WWF. Being one of the most well-known animals in the world, we would not want these majestic creatures to disappear.
When I saw the original photo, I could see it peering off to the distance, expressing its proud posture as the king of the jungle. With the painting I am trying to highlight the power it wields, the strength it bares and the courage it possesses.
This painting was a personal, but new, challenge for me as I have not attempted to paint a lion before. It took me many weeks to complete it, but all not in vein as it does justice to lions; this is what I wanted to achieve.
Now its hanging in my living room proudly, on its throne above all of us.”