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“I call myself a happy artist. I paint natural beauty in all its brightest
colours, and I want people who view my art to feel uplifted.”
SENAKA SENANAYAKE
The flora and fauna of Sri Lanka’s forests are the
anchoring theme of Senaka Senanayake’s art. The
Colombo‒based artist is deeply committed to
preserving the depleting rainforests of Sri Lanka,
many of which were converted into tea estates and
rubber plantations during the years of colonial rule.
His brightly hued canvases appear deeply spiritual,
and evoke unbridled happiness, which is of great
importance to the artist. The forest scenes with
birds and animals within close‒ups of large leaves
and flowers create a dream‒like magical realm that is
reminiscent of the artist Henri Rousseau. Lots 64 and
65, are painted in Senananayake’s typically cheerful
palette and offer a defiant vision of natural beauty
to a world dominated by war and strife. They are a
celebration of simplicity and living in harmony with
nature.
64
SENAKA SENANAYAKE
(b. 1951)
Untitled
Signed and dated 'Senaka Senanayake 1984' (lower right)
1984
Oil on canvas
41.75 x 35.5 in (106 x 90 cm)
$ 8,000 ‒ 10,000
Rs 5,12,000 ‒ 6,40,000
PROVENANCE:
Acquired directly from the artist
Private Collection, Northeast USA
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