Mangalore: Solo Painting Exhibition of Peter Lewis Inaugurated
by Florine Roche
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, May 6: “Me and My Coast”,  an exhibition of exhibition of paintings renowned painter of international repute Peter A Lewis was inaugurated today by Rt. Rev Dr Henry D Souza, Bishop of Bellary, at Orchid Art Gallery in Mangalore.   

This was the 71st exhibition of paintings of the well-known painter but the first solo exhibition in Mangalore.  About 40 paintings of Peter Lewis from his vivid collection that he amassed over a period of time were exhibited at the gallery to art connoisseurs in the city. 

Inaugurating the exhibition Rev Bishop Henry D Souza said that generally there are three kinds of people, people who are useful, people who are useless and people who are harmful.  Artistes belong to the first category and are very useful to the society. “When efforts are being made to divide people, artistes should be able to cross these barriers and bring people together through their work.  Our guns should be molded into pens, bombs should be converted into colours to unite people” he stated. 

Bishop Henry D Souza also said that artiste is a gift of the god and his work is only a reflection.  They however, have to respond to the gift by making use of it in the best way possible.  “It is not easy to be an artiste.  They are the treasure of the society and we have to acknowledge, support, patronize and encourage them”, he remarked.  He congratulated the artiste Peter Lewis and the Orchid Art Gallery for organizing this exhibition in the city in an effort to bring art consciousness among the people. 

Giselle D Mehta, Ex-IRS and entrepreneur who is also the Curator of the exhibition, was the chief guest at the function. She inaugurated the website of Orchid art gallery www.orchidartindia.com, thus putting the gallery in the world map.  Speaking on the occasion she said “art is capable of multitude meanings be it culture, literature, tradition, love, warmth, action etc.  Exclusive aspects make art a highly valuable commodity which has emerged on the same fundamental premises as that of equity shares.   Art appreciates with time.  While life is short art is enduring”.  

She also pointed that art signifies the coming of age of the city.  Gifted artistes are not the exclusive properties of foreigners or those living in metros.  They also should thrive in smaller cities bringing richness to them.  

Peter Lewis speaking on the occasion said it is for the people of Mangalore to decide whether these paintings are worth their money.  “Art has no language and paintings are not ended with one world.  It is ever lasting imagination and thinking of the artistes”, he opined.  

Owner of the art gallery William Pais stated that he was honored to hold the first solo painting exhibition of a veteran artistes like Peter Lewis in Mangalore.  He said the paintings of Peter Lewis exhibited were priced reasonably to create art consciousness among Mangaloreans.  

Some of the paintings that attracted the attention of art aficionados include the Llast Supper, the Life of Christ, Cultivation and The Musicians.  Paintings like the Fisherwomen, Yakshagana, Cockfight, Kambala and the tribal dance had the coastal flavour to go with the title of the exhibition ‘Me and My Coast’, reflecting the influence of the coastal life on the artiste.    

The exhibition will continue till May 25 at the Orchid Art Gallery.