His artistry earns recognition

By Zanita Careem

The Haut Monde of India’s Art World congregated at the unveiling of “Harmony” an exclusive art show showcasing 100 years of Indian Art and bridging the legacy of modern masters with contemporary artists in New Delhi recently.

This curated display showcased popular artists like Anita Roy Chowdry and others like iconic modern maestros like Bimal Dias Gupta, Vinod Sharma Ghulam Rasool Santosh, and many other outstanding artists from India. Sri Lankan contemporary artist Dr Shanaka Kulatunga was among those prestigious artists who took part in this exhibition.

“Harmony” unveiled at Bikaner House New Delhi is not a just an exhibition but a dialogue between the past and present where the masters and contemporaries came together to create a new language , a new harmony. The exhibition featured over 100 remarkable works highlighting the coexistance and essence of “Harmony ” in indian art. The central focus of the show was the fusion of modern and contemporary art , each art work demonstrating a unique synergy between heritage and innovation.

Dr. Shanaka is one of the privileged few from Sri Lanka to showcase his artwork at this Gallery. His work of art namely ‘The Seascape”. was showcased among many other legendary Indian artists.His art always captures the essence of everyday life with remarkable depth and emotion.

Shanaka’s artwork namely “Seascape” on display, at the exhibition tells us about the inspiration behind it. The sea has always been a inspiration for him over the years He said “whenever I travel along the coastal roads, I am pacaptivated by the breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean. Glistening rocky shores and the transient yet endless waves are not lifeless to me. The gloomy and the stormy sea depicts deep emotions within me” said Shanaka.

“The blurred horizon, where the ocean and sky become indistinguishable, creates a magical sense of entrapment’ explained doctor turned artist.

Shanaka was also a graduate from the Colombo Medical Faculty, he is also a past student of the Vibhavari Academy of Fine Arts in Sri Lanka. He received his training from the renowned artist Dr. Chandragupta Thenuwara. His main focus is for portraiture and figurative art where he finds his models for paintings from day to day life depicting their lifestyle and characters. His accomplishments to date include the highest accolade in the professional category of art exhibition organised by the Sri Lankan Airlines in 2017. His work has thus far been part of many groups exhibitions including the annual Sri Lankan Art exhibition by the George Keyt Foundation.

He has had many exhibitions to his credit. His works are displayed not only here but abroad most landmark exhibition is displayed in the Ceylon Dutch Burgher Heritage Exhibition – Sydney Australia 2019.

Kulatunga’s distinctive portraits include the beauty and lifestyles of people from diverse walks of life, ranging from mural folks to contemporary fashion models. His work reasonates with authencity, portraying the soul of his subjects. His art also speaks of a fascination with nature’s wonders and the essence of humanity.

Shanaka’s transforms ideas into unique masterpieces, whether it’s a personal portrait or a concept driven project, his creations are tailored to perfection. His works of art are poised to have an indelible mark on the art world.With his innovative styles and bold visions, Shanaka will become the standard bearer of Sri Lankan art in the years to come.