Sandatharaka Abeysinghe
In a captivating art exhibition, ‘Elsewhere,’ artist Sandatharaka Abeysinghe. Imagines a surreal realm submerged beneath water, where terrestrial flora has evolved into towering giants, creating a haven for a forgotten civilisation.
Inspired by Ilya Repin’s renowned work ‘Sadko,’ the artist envisions an underwater world where a city engulfed by water continues to thrive in the present day, hidden from the world above.
Artistic journey
Abeysinghe, a graduate of the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, holds a Bachelor’s degree in the Visual Arts, which he completed in 2019. His artistic journey has led him to showcase his work in solo exhibitions at notable venues, including Paradise Road Galleries and JDA Perera Gallery. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions across India, China, Italy and Bangladesh. His talent has also been recognised in ‘Re-imagining Ceylon: Contemporary Artists in Sri Lanka,’ an Imago Mundi publication by the Benetton Foundation.
New visual trajectories
The artist’s practice is profoundly influenced by Sri Lanka’s rich folklore and rural traditions, capturing the essence of rural life amidst the relentless advance of urbanisation. In this upcoming series, Abeysinghe explores new visual trajectories, experimenting with oil paint to create a hyper-realistic, scintillating world brimming with tropical colours. He breaks away from conventional painting techniques, freely experimenting with digital technology, generative AI and still-life drawing to conceptualise his images before bringing them to life on canvas.
Abeysinghe’s imagination conjures a romanticised interpretation of Sri Lankan culture and history, situated within a world that transcends the rigid categories of modernity. In his fantastic realm, desert succulents, tropical fauna and birds of paradise coexist harmoniously, blending diverse ecosystems in a space uninhibited by time and geography.
Here human life appears diminutive against the backdrop of mega fauna and mega flora that envelop the canvas. This dynamic shift between humanity and the natural realm invites a quest for symbiosis and coexistence within his captivating underwater scape.
Rich narratives
‘Elsewhere’ by Sandatharaka Abeysinghe which opened on October 24 will run until November 14 at Saskia Fernando Gallery, 41 Horton Place, Colombo 7.
Abeysinghe will also be represented at the Saskia Fernando Gallery at the upcoming India Art Fair in early 2025. This exhibition will invite viewers to dive into an imaginative underwater world and explore the narratives woven into each piece.
