All of the artists represented here are known personally to us at Art Lanka 2008 and all of the paintings have been procured directly from the artists. We are able to guarantee, therefore, that all of the items in this exhibition are original, signed paintings by the artists stated - no copies and no prints.
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Jagath Gamage
Jagath traces his interest in art back to a colourful but inchoate dream he had when he was only in Year 9 at school. He managed to translate that vision to paper – and so started a passion for abstract painting which is only equalled, he says, by his passion for cricket! Now aged 28, he is a recent graduate from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.
Janaka Goonathilaka
Janaka entered the Fine Arts University of Kelaniya in 1977 and launched his own company, Savi Arts Creations, in 1980. He is a painter, screen printer, photographer, interior designer, actor and lecturer. However, his chief joy and fulfilment remains in abstract painting. He has exhibited widely in Sri Lanka and has also won several lucrative contracts producing works for one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the Maldives.
Kalahe Jayasinghe
46 year old Kalahe has developed his highly distinctive style entirely from his own creative imagination and experience. Even as a boy of 8, he knew he wanted to be a painter. He went to the local school at Unavatuna (one of the loveliest Southern seaside villages). Thereafter he did not have the benefit of any formal education but has made his living as an artist and now runs his own small gallery.
Kamantha Jayalal
An experienced artist with a growing reputation in Sri Lanka, 32 year old Kamantha has exhibited in numerous galleries and venues in Colombo including the National Art Gallery (03) and the Bandaranaike Memorial Hall (04). He enjoys sculpture in clay, as well as art in acrylics, oils, watercolours and charcoal. He is married and lives with his family in Piliyandala, Colombo.
H P N Chanaka
Chanaka's home is in the town of Kurunegala, though he attended school and university in Colombo. He says he gets the inspiration for his paintings from the 'careful observation of people's behaviour'. Both of his parents were artistically talented and 28 year old Chanaka has never considered any other profession. His work has appeared regularly in Colombo exhibitions.
Ajith Susantha
Ajith is 32 years old and lives in Borella. A graduate of the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, he has experimented in various different media but favours particularly acrylics on canvas and also sculpture in clay. He names Jackson Pollock as an important influence in his work. He has already had some success in exhibiting his works in England and Norway, as well as Colombo galleries.
Chaminda Rathnayake
Chaminda lives in a village near to Polonnaruwa, one of the ancient cities in the 'Cultural Triangle' of Sri Lanka. Having attended the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, 29 year old Chaminda has become an expert print maker as well as a respected artiist working chiefly in acrylics on canvas. His work has appeared regularly in group exhibitions in Colombo.
Bandara Dissanayake
Bandara was greatly encouraged by his school (D B Vijetunga state school in Kandy) to develop his obvious innate potential in abstract art. He went on to attend the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo and now, at the age of 26, he is establishing himself on the Colombo art scene with a number of successful exhibitions at city galleries.
Lani Senanayake
Having graduated from the University of Colombo with a BSc in Environmental Building, Lani set up her own gallery and is involved with architecture and interior design. Her first love is painting, especially in acrylics on canvas. She particularly admires the work of Aruna Senanayake (no relation). She is married and lives with her family in Pannipitiya.
Manjula Thaldoowa
31 year old Manjula has exhibited in many Sri Lankan galleries and venues. He recently had a successful solo exhibition at the Galadari Hotel (06) and in the State Art Festival at the Barefoot Gallery (05, 06). He attributes his exciting sense of colour combin-ation to the influence of traditional Sri Lankan artists and batik makers.
Roshan Kumara
Key influences in Roshan's development, he says, include Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso, David Paynter and the ancient art of Sri Lankan Buddhism. His inspiration comes always from his own imagination and sometimes he is able to draw directly from his dreams. His water colours have been exhibited at the National Art Gallery of Sri Lanka.
Ruwan Wijekoon
Ruwan attended the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, where he played a lot of football and cricket as well as developing his art! He has been influenced particularly by the established modern artists of Sri Lanka such as David Paynter. Aged 24, he is at present preparing for his first solo exhibition in Colombo next year.
Sahan Samaraweera
Sahan, though still only 23 years old, has already developed a highly individual style, which often involves themes drawn from the Buddhist tradition or classical Sri Lankan art. He owes his artistic skill to his parents who were both talented amateur artists. Having just graduated from art college, he is now preparing for his first solo exhibition next year.
Sherli Karunathilaka
Sherli left school after O Levels and was not able to attend any higher education. Encouraged by his parents, he began to sell his paintings locally and gradually his reputation grew. Now, aged 41 and with a family of his own, he has his own gallery and has exhibited his works at numerous galleries including the Lionel Wendt.
Jagath Gamage
Jagath traces his interest in art back to a colourful but inchoate dream he had when he was only in Year 9 at school. He managed to translate that vision to paper – and so started a passion for abstract painting which is only equalled, he says, by his passion for cricket! Now aged 28, he is a recent graduate from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.f
Jagath Gamage
Jagath traces his interest in art back to a colourful but inchoate dream he had when he was only in Year 9 at school. He managed to translate that vision to paper – and so started a passion for abstract painting which is only equalled, he says, by his passion for cricket! Now aged 28, he is a recent graduate from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.ff
Jagath Gamage
Jagath traces his interest in art back to a colourful but inchoate dream he had when he was only in Year 9 at school. He managed to translate that vision to paper – and so started a passion for abstract painting which is only equalled, he says, by his passion for cricket! Now aged 28, he is a recent graduate from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.dd
Jagath Gamage
Jagath traces his interest in art back to a colourful but inchoate dream he had when he was only in Year 9 at school. He managed to translate that vision to paper – and so started a passion for abstract painting which is only equalled, he says, by his passion for cricket! Now aged 28, he is a recent graduate from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.dd
Other Artists
Keerthi Priyanka, M S Rukman and Rohana Kumarasiri are all young artists working in Colombo and all have exhibited locally in group exhibitions. The galleries at 'Barefoot', the Lionel Wendt Theatre, the Hilton, the Galadari, etc are typically the places where one might find works by these artists. Mahinda Bandara is known in Sri Lanka not only as an artist but also as an accomplished actor, regularly appearing on stage and TV. He has exhibited recently at the Hilton Gallery in Colombo. Mohan Senadira (37 year old brother of Lani Senanayake - see above) is a noted portraitist, in addition to being an abstract painter and designer. He was pleased to win a prestigious commission recently to paint the late Lakshman Kadiragamar, the Sri Lankan ex-foreign minister who was assassinated in 2005. Neil Kumara, age 42, runs his own gallery in the resort town of Negombo. His reputation as an artist and art entrepreneur has steadily grown in Belgium, Holland and other European countries. At the age of 34, Thushara Kumarasinghe has already established himself as a respected artist in Colombo, with numerous exhibitions at prestigious galleries, such as the Lionel Wendt. His work has also been on show in the UK at one or two provincial galleries. For Thushara Karunayake, the first priority, he says, is to avoid being 'just another copycat artist'. He enjoys working in a wide range of different media and experiments to find new and original modes of expression.