BIRDS OF A FEATHER: CREATIVITY BEYOND AGE

At 50, Push Nanayakkara picked up her first paintbrush. Not in an art class, not as part of a childhood passion finally rekindled, but as a complete beginner, stepping into a world she had never thought would belong to her.

- BY RIHAAB MOWLANA

"My art journey is unconventional. I didn't pick up a paintbrush in my childhood. Mine began in my fiftieth year as a result of a fulfilment of prophecy! I discovered painting to be extremely therapeutic, and I began to realise how much joy it brought me, to say the least. That's when I thought I must pass on my newfound passion to other older people who might love to explore art and cultivate a hobby that will bring joy and meaning to the rest of their lives!"

It's this spark that has grown into Birds of a Feather, the debut Colour Pencil Art Exhibition by Push and her students, all mature learners in the 40 to 90 age group. Some, she adds, are even seniors experiencing the onset of dementia, for whom art has become both therapy and release.

A Classroom of Late Bloomers

Push is quick to point out how different it is to teach older students. "Most young parents send their children for art classes more as a trend. As time goes by, school activities take up most of their attention, and the first thing they opt out of to accommodate their numerous 'lessons' is art! On the other hand, an older person, who hasn't touched a paintbrush since leaving school, starts painting and awakens a creative side that may have been dormant all their lives... It's altogether a different experience!"