- Three-day exhibition held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery
Hexa, a visual art exhibition that featured the work of six contemporary Sri Lankan artists, was held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from 25 to 27 November.
The artists showcasing their work at Hexa were Shanaka Kulathunga, Prabath Samarasooriya, Kasun Indikatihewage, Vimukthi Samaraweera, Vikum Bandara, and Anupa Perera. The artwork was created during the Covid-19 lockdown periods, and told different stories through the use of different media and artistic styles.
The artists stated that through the exhibition, they attempted to create a healthy dialogue with society to raise awareness about the current socioeconomic and cultural issues in the country. They were also confident that Hexa will be a turning point in the history of group art shows in Sri Lanka, as it presents a blend of six artists with six different backgrounds and disciplines, each sharing a different story.
Meet the artists
Shanaka Kulathunga is a pioneer in portrait painting, expressing a greater degree of emotional and spiritual expression in his work. He is a senior medical officer by profession and an award-winning portrait artist.
Prabath Samarasooriya is a designer and artist with a career of over 20 years locally and internationally, and his talents lie in fashion, art, illustration, and design. Samarasooriya’s work reflects themes like nature, humanity and radicalism.
Kasun Indikatihewage is a painter who uses symbolic characteristic composition in refined detail to create hyper-realistic expression. He works with graphite pencils, while sociopolitical trends and movements are the main topics seen in his work.
Vimukthi Samaraweera is a multifaceted artist who has experience in visual arts, contoured arts, graphics, and interior designing. He is working on graphic and architectural projects, while also practicing and experimenting with his own creative language.
Vikum Bandara has established himself as an abstract expressionist, creating significant and vibrant expressions via mixed media. Bandara is also a committed teacher who uses his artistic passion when working with the next generation.
Anupa Perera is a unique painter who takes challenging paths though hyper-realistic styles. In addition to his work as an artist, Perera engages with underprivileged communities in remote areas to share his knowledge and skills.
Photos Lalith Perera