by Sharafa Munawar
Five years ago I walked into a miniature art exhibition. This was held at my friend’s garage to satisfy his little 12 year old daughter’s artistic enthusiasm.

I could then tell that she had immense potential and to encourage the little girl I bought a few of her colourful paintings. Today I’m proud to say that this little girl has transpired into a talented creative artist and is holding her very own exhibition at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.

17 year old Chedliya Munawer who is currently schooling at Belvoir College International will be displaying her artistic skills on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of July 2003 at the Lionel Wendt from 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. The exhibition will be opened by Minister Ravi Karunanayake. Her paintings range from nature, human form abstracts, Her painting speaks of different perspectives and her favourite medium is acrylics and some of her paintings are done with oil and soft pastels.

Chedliya inherited this wonderful talent from her mother who will be accompanying her daughter with a few sketches of her own. It was her mother who motivated and acted as a tower of strength and made her pursue her hidden talent. She did this by making her a student of the artist Latifa Ismail who cultivated her talent and gave her a sense of direction.

According to Chedliya art is something that inspires me. It puts me into a dream world which does not want to wake up from. "I am so obsessed and engrossed in art that I attend classes almost every day at Mrs. Ismail’s house, which is now her second home," said Chedliya.

Art is a part of Chedliya. It personified her. Her child like manner belies her strong personality. Sometimes I begin to wonder how this terribly naughty little girl who turned into a person of artislic nature. But I know what drove her into this, the loss of her much loved and treasured brother. Her paintings express the different moods she has been in. We have observed this lovely individual from a mischievous child to a person of absolute calmness. I wish this little girl all the very best on this special endeavour.