Health Sciences First Year tauira Oshadha Perera is excited he has been nominated for a Blues and Golds Award, and that it will shine a light on an artform he says doesn't get much recognition - poetry.
One Blues and Golds Award nominee is excited to gain recognition for what he feels is an underrepresented art form – poetry.
The Blues and Golds Awards are an annual event run by the University and OUSA to celebrate sporting and cultural achievements. Silver awards acknowledge the exceptional work done by students within the community.
Health Sciences First Year tauira Oshadha Perera says he is thrilled and honoured to be nominated for a Gold award for his work in both poetry and painting.
“I’m also really happy to represent poetry writing because it isn’t a popular or mainstream art form that gets much recognition.”
Oshadha started writing poetry when he was about 12 years old.
“I love reading, and writing poetry kind of started through that.”
Oshadha has tried different forms of creative writing and decided he loved poetry because it allowed him to express ideas succinctly while also experimenting with language in a way that traditional fiction and non-fiction writing doesn’t allow for.
“I’ve been able to take part in some cool experiences like the IML Poetry Masterclass that has made me enjoy poetry even more.”
He writes about a variety of things including family, environment, identity and life experiences, as well as grief and loss.
He can’t remember when he started painting.
“Honestly, I think I’ve been doing painting since I started primary school. My parents have been a big influence in this as well.”
He loves painting landscapes and still life, predominantly in acrylics, but he has also dabbled in black and white drawings.
He didn’t start submitting his work from either artform for competitions or publications until he was at high school.
Oshadha won the Emerging Talent category of the Southland Creative Arts Awards earlier this year for his poetry and art.
This year’s Blues and Golds Awards evening will be held on 25 September.