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lot 42

lot 42

Senaka Senanayake

Shanthi

oil on canvas
48 x 36 in. (121.9 x 91.4 cm.)
painted in 2009

Winning Bid: $ 11,000

Estimate: US$ 12,000 - 18,000

Lot Closed

Lot Details

Signed and dated 'Senaka Senanayake 2009' (lower left)

EXHIBITED AND PUBLISHED
Senaka Senanyake: Paradise lost?, Exhibition catalogue, Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi, 2009, p.5 (illustrated)

“There is a feeling of tranquility in my works which is born out of the influence of the environment around me. As a painter and sculptor I am conscious of the nuance of colour caused by the changing light and the tremendous potential it holds in awakening beauty in us all.”
- Senaka Senanayake

“Senaka’s versatility becomes apparent in the manner in which he manipulates the various mediums of oils, water colours, mixed media, pencil drawings and pen and ink. The rich narrative he thus weaves is a direct result of his pride in his heritage, a pride rooted in the flora and fauna of his tropical nation which he so ardently strives to protect. In thus working towards the goals which he has set for himself, his work has evolved into a highly pictorial and decorative style. The judiciously worked palette of colors coupled with vivid juxtapositions, allows for a romantic ambience and utopian idealism. The world of nature he articulates is a verdant tropical one which remains unsullied by the atrocities of mankind. And his rich pictorial language serves to represent this utopian land which promises harmony, peace and tranquility. Moving away from any narrative overtures, his paintings seek to confront the viewer with a forthrightness and simplicity.” (Natasha Baruah, Senaka Senanyake: Paradise lost?,Exhibition catalogue, Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi, 2009, p.3)

Senaka Senanayake

(b. 1951)
A Sri Lankan by origin, Senaka attained fame early in life as a prodigy for his works of art. He held his first international solo exhibition at the age of ten, in New York. Although he painted copiously and held many shows both in his native country as well as abroad, it was only after he went to Yale school for graduation in Art and Architecture did he realize that his true calling lay in the field of art. For the past decade, Senanayake has concentrated his art as a medium for environmental advocacy: depicting beautiful scenes from the rainforest to promote public awareness of environmental degradation in his native Sri Lanka and around the world. Senanayake's work shows a fervent passion for nature's beauty and a great knowledge of the flora and fauna of the rainforest. His work has been shown at most parts of Europe and South Asia with critical acclaim. Till date he has more than 100 solo shows to his credit, and numerous group shows in the countries of Europe, China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, Korea and Egypt to name a few. His work has been documented by Metro Goldwyn, British Movietone News, BBC TV, London, Yeo Soo TV, South Korea, TV Austria, and Star TV, India. Various journals, magazines and newspapers such as The New York Sunday Times, Washington Post, London Times, Weser Kurier, Germany, UNESCO Features, Paris, National Geographic Magazine, Asia Week and many others, have devoted their mediums to document Senaka’s work. He Lives and works in Sri Lanka.