Artist Sanjaya Gunarathna recently held an art exhibition titled “Life Without Green” at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, with the exhibition opening on 24 February, and remaining open until 26 February. The exhibition displayed contemporary works by Sanjaya Gunarathna.
Entrepreneur, animal welfare advocate and philanthropist Otara Gunewardene was the chief guest and a massive crowd including environmentalists, art collectors and art lovers attended the event.
Briefly explaining his art at the event, Sanjaya Gunarathna said: What life really is, is not understood thus far.
When it comes to names in the world of art, many would say that Pablo Picasso tops the list, perhaps sharing a position with Leonardo da Vinci. Locally, too, there are many talented artists, and Sanjaya Gunarathna, one can argue, is surely making a mark with his talent. His work is a stunning display of colour and design splashed across the canvas, conveying many emotions and topics, and had art lovers mesmerised at the exhibition.
Hailing from Panadura, there is no doubt that he has been inspired by the lush natural beauty of his village, which helped to bring out his inborn talent as a painter.
After completing his advanced level studies at Nalanda College, Gunarathna attended a three-year course of traditional art work conducted by the Cultural Department. During the training course, Gunarathna sharpened his skills in different aspects of art, including traditional art conservation and restoration, life drawing, sculptor and landscape drawing.
In each brush stroke, twist or curve of Gunarathna’s designs, one perceives an all-consuming love for his country, his passion, to project its ancient wonders, its beauty and heritage in the most original form. Gunarathna’s paintings reflect his personality for he believes “Every man dips his brush into his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures”.
For close to seven years, Gunarathna has worked at a State-owned TV station, where he has made valuable contributions. He won the award for Best Animation Production at the State Television Arts Award Ceremony in 2021.
At the opening of the Life Without Green exhibition, Gunarathna generously thanked Shan Rajapaksha, also a past pupil of Nalanda College, for the full sponsorship of the exhibition.
About the artist
Sanjaya Gunarathna, a contemporary artist, animator and graphic designer was born on 18 January 1980 in Panadura as the eldest child in the family. His father was a music teacher and mother was a dancing teacher. As a youth, he was obsessed with drawing and painting, with the influence of his grandfather. His style of painting has been influenced by Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, and Chamila Gamage.
About Life Without Green, Gunarathna said: “There is no real benefit of this development which causes the destruction of nature. Looking at today’s society, it is evident that there is a tendency for people to suffer from excessive mental stress, epidemics, and cancer. He believes that nature is the eternal truth in the world. Therefore, the world cannot imagine a human existence without the colour green”