A conversation with Dhammika Gunasekara Timeless Curves and Unconventional Colour

Dhammika’s workflow is a playful and witty form of reverse engineering 

By Aakil Riyaz

Dhammika Gunasekara has worn many hats over the years. From engineer and entrepreneur to artist, his talents are boundless. His recently concluded second solo art exhibition ‘Timeless Expressions’ shows that Gunasekara’s foray into the art world is one of dedication and intense discipline.

Having schooled at Royal College, Colombo, he pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Colombo, he subsequently completed a second undergraduate degree at the Imperial College, London. Despite living in the vicinity of some of the greatest museums, “even then I only ever visited the Victoria & Albert Museum when I had friends visiting from Sri Lanka,” he admits with a laugh. 

It wasn’t until the early 2000’s that art began to take a more personal place in his life. In 2016, Dhammika set out on a mission: scribbling hundreds of pages with passion and persistence. This eventually led to him developing a steady hand, leading to the emergence of a distinctive art style.

The Reverse-Engineered Aesthetic

Dhammika’s workflow is a playful and witty form of reverse engineering. He doesn’t exactly begin with a theme per se, but lets the shapes and strokes do the magic. Upon completion, his children name the completed piece of art, thereby assigning a distinctive identity to it. Influenced in-part by Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian law professor who gave up a promising academic career to pursue art. “I don’t follow it religiously, but I do believe in harmony. If a section of the drawing is low in energy, I’ll add some details into it, with some very vivid colours,” he explains. 

What makes Dhammika’s art unique is its ambiguity. Despite possessing geometric and contoured proportions, his art can best be termed as, ‘surreal hybrids’. His art possesses a liberating quality to it and what might look like a face, a mythical creature or something otherworldly is the recipe behind his creative genius. He says: “My art isn’t about realism, but I can make something unique, harmonious and I hope, pleasing”.

Dienge Gallery: From Gems to Canvas

Dienge Gallery was founded in 2002, specialising in gems and handcrafted silver. Today, the gallery has evolved to showcase Dhammika’s art, rare books, jewellery and silver pieces shaped through close collaborations with Kandyan craftsmen. “I don’t want the usual motifs,” he explains. “So I give them the overall shape instead”. 

Details, intuition and the everyday

At first glance, Dhammika’s work might appear whimsical, but its specialty is vested on its intricate detailing, which can only be appreciated up close. A full size painting with dimensions of 22x30 inches, can usually take around 50 hours to complete. “I usually work five hours at a stretch”, he says. “It never tires me. Even after nine years the joy hasn’t faded away”. The passion and excitement he has towards his art is very evident throughout.

Most of Dhammika’s art is given colour through the incorporation of archival-grade coloured pencils. These pencils fulfil the dual purpose of being both highly pigmented and long-lasting, both crucial facets to his art. 

On style and ‘Sri Lankan-ness’

Dhammika intentionally steers away from any overt cultural markers. He does this with the motive of keeping his work timeless and universal. Contemporary Sri Lankan art, he acknowledges, often serves as a social commentary, with occasional touches both sombre and abstract. Although he lauds the skill involved, it is not something he seeks to create through his art. 

Instead Dhammika, opts for something vivid, imaginative and most importantly open to interpretation. “I just draw what feels right, colour what feels empty and fill the blank spaces with balance, colour and care”.

Having completed more than 1,600 pieces over the years, Dhammika’s resolve and perseverance to improving his craft has never been stronger. “It’s not a passing fad’, he insists, and this relentless fire is truly is a testament to his artistic spirit.