Rural folklore and quiet forests, minimal scenes with big stories
Sandatharaka Abeysinghe is a Sri Lankan watercolor artist born in 1994 in Kandy.
Sandatharaka Abeysinghe at a glance
- Born: 1994, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Nationality: Sri Lankan
- Known for: Paintings of rural life, folklore and nature
- Medium: Watercolor and oil paint
- Education: Bachelor of Visual Arts in Painting, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo (2019)
- Lives in: Ampitigoda, Sri Lanka
- Notable: Solo show “Elsewhere” at Saskia Fernando Gallery (2024); featured in the Benetton Foundation’s Imago Mundi project
“I paint what I see, but my paintings are more than just scenes, they tell stories.”
He grew up in the village of Ampitigoda in Nuwara Eliya, where he spent much of his time observing the people and their way of life. He completed his BVA in Painting from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo in 2019. His work is deeply influenced by folklore and rural traditions, capturing the essence of rural life amidst urbanization.
Minimalism is the signature of his work while he depicts the natural environment.
He has held solo exhibitions including “Rural Zone” at Paradise Road Galleries in 2019 and “Elsewhere” at Saskia Fernando Gallery in 2024. His work has been featured in the Imago Mundi book project by the Benetton Foundation. He has also participated in group exhibitions in India, China, Italy, and Malaysia.
He experiments with digital technology and generative AI to conceptualize his images.
His exhibition “Elsewhere” imagines a surreal underwater world inspired by Ilya Repin’s ‘Sadko’. He uses oil paint to create hyper-realistic, tropical scenes where human life appears diminutive against towering flora. His work seeks to show the connection between humans and nature, creating a visual language that tells stories.
Sandatharaka Abeysinghe is a Sri Lankan artist whose watercolors and oils explore the tension between rural traditions and modern urbanization. His minimalist style and surreal narratives have earned him recognition in international exhibitions. He continues to push boundaries by blending traditional painting with digital tools.
Where was Sandatharaka Abeysinghe born?
He was born in 1994 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Where did Sandatharaka Abeysinghe study?
He completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Painting at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo in 2019.
What is Sandatharaka Abeysinghe known for?
He is known for minimalist, story-driven paintings of rural life, folklore and nature, in watercolor and oil.
What solo exhibitions has Sandatharaka Abeysinghe held?
He held “Rural Zone” at Paradise Road Galleries in 2019 and “Elsewhere” at Saskia Fernando Gallery in 2024.
