First solo art exhibition

Contemporary artist, animator and graphic designer Sanjaya Gunarathna will hold his first solo art exhibition at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre, Colombo from 24 February to 26 February 2023. Sanjaya’s styles are Expressionism art, modern art and Abstract art. The exhibition will open at 6.30 pm on February 24 and the two other days from 10 am to 7 pm.

Old Nalandian Sanjaya attended a three-year course of traditional art work conducted by the Cultural Department under the guidance of S.P. Charles, who was a renowned artist. During that training course, Sanjaya sharpened his skills in different aspects of art including traditional art conservation and restoration, life drawing, sculpture and landscape drawing. He successfully completed the course with a First Division Certificate. Sanjaya was influenced by Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, Chamila Gamage among others. Sanjaya started his art career by joining as an intern in an advertising agency owned by Anura Srinath, who is well-known artist, painter, illustrator sanjayagunarathna.com and cartoonist in Sri Lanka. After gaining some valuable hands-on experience and insight in the commercial arts, he developed a fascination with the newly emerging capabilities of computer-generated graphics. Meanwhile, Sanjaya demonstrated his artistic abilities by working as an assistant director for the Sinhala Teledrama, “The Next Generation” as well. Later, he joined Samanala Creations, as an amateur animation artist and played a huge role in creating “Seeyage Katha” which is regarded as the first Sinhala Cartoon DVD, with Digital Dolby Surrounding System, that was ever produced in Sri Lanka. While working as an animation artist, Sanjaya developed a keen interest in the field of digital art. He acquired the necessary skills and experience in different drawing software and later, became a self-taught digital artist. In 2011, Sanjaya joined the National Rupavahini Corporation, and has been working there as an 2D Animation and Graphic Artist. He made a valuable contribution to the creation of popular animation programmes, publicity/promotional advertisements which were recognized and won awards at the State Television Arts Awards Ceremony on number of occasions. He won the state award for the Best Animation Production at the State Television Arts Awards Ceremony in 2021. Sanjaya also participated in a training programme at The Korean Broadcasting System, sponsored by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).