Domus Srilanka - December 2016

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Tilak Samarawickrema is however more than an architect or designer, he is a passionate artistic rebel, who uses traditional and cultural stimuli for a more futuristic outlook.
Given its long and exuberant history, Sri Lanka lays claim to a rich tradition of indigenous arts and crafts, which have been passed down generations. For the native Sri Lankan, art is not something separated from everyday life. Enriched by culture, traditions, and religion, and with the support and patronage of the rulers, an extensive variety of local arts and crafts have evolved and flourished.
Chandramani Thenuwara, artist and designer, reflects on the work of Tilak Samarawickrema that spans over five decades following the exhibition, ‘50 Year Retrospective – Drawings, Sculptures and Animation’.
Two identical houses in Havelock Town are a hallmark of Tilak Samarawickrema the architect.
The artistic expressions of Tilak Samarawickrema are not restricted to his tapestries or architecture. They flow through the designs of his interiors where purpose-built furniture serve modern needs and ornate crafts liven spaces with a touch of culture.
In an age where environmental sustainability is tightly entwined with architecture, the Tilak Samarawickrema has redefined an industrial space through the inclusion of tropical greenery in the design. Built to be a Carbon Neutral facility, the factory, although an industrial space, is both aesthetically pleasing and an oasis of biodiversity.
The Italians were fascinated by Tilak Samarawickrema’s art. They were equally fascinated by the Sinhala script when they made out the close connection between the alphabet and the artist’s line drawings. His exhibitions of art in Rome became all the rage. It was subsequent to this notoriety that he ventured into animation with A’ndaré. The film was a labour of love and the work that began in 1974 ended four years later when it was produced by Corona Cinematographica, Rome.