Opening of The Colombo Art Gallery

Colombo Art Gallery is a space created for authentic engagement, enabling community enrichment through a shared space of integrity and collaboration. It is a result of Dian Gomes’s long-standing passion for Art, consisting of his private globally sourced collection along with a fine curation of renowned local artistes.

The location of the Gallery is of equal importance to the Art space in Sri Lanka, as it is situated down Sri Lanka’s only Art Street. The history of the street goes back to the inception of Gandhara in 2004, a lifestyle store that houses unique pieces of furniture, art and artifacts. Today, Gandhara Street is Colombo’s go-to destination for one-stop retail and café culture; creating a horizontal mall with over thirty offerings from multiple vendors. The curated mix of brands belonging to categories such as Fashion, Lifestyle, Wellness, Dining and Art- bring to life the first dynamic ‘art street’ in the island. It is a haven for art and design lovers, boasting an incredible array of creative talents; yet until now there has not been a Gallery dedicated to Art.

The Colombo Art Gallery which was meant to open doors to the public last year, postponed its preparations due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Opening Ceremony was held on the 24th of April 2021, at No. 8 Stratford Avenue Colombo 6. The opening Ceremony was distinguished through the first ever exhibition to be held at the Gallery named ‘Odyssey’. The exhibition was helmed by the 2020 Group, who are a group of senior artists belonging to different disciplines; practicing distinctive individual styles including Realism, Impressionism, idealism, Stylization and Figurative Art. They have come together in the hope of shifting the spotlight back to Representational Art and raising the bar for local art, which would eventually construct an even playing field in the global arena. ‘Odyssey’ is a collaboration between the 2020 Group and the Colombo Art Gallery, an exhibition that hopes to inspire audiences and artists alike to engage in representational work, and gain an understanding on the recognition in this particular sphere of art.

As a country rich in both history and talent, there is an urgent necessity to build on strengths such as representational art; where Sri Lanka’s quality and skill could be well presented together with the pride of a beautiful nation. The exhibition is currently being held adhering to health and safety guidelines issued by the Government, and the space itself has been designed keeping international standards and highest quality in mind. The bright and airy walls of the space provide respite from the hustle and bustle outside, so it is an invitation to immerse oneself in this pensive atmosphere next to some great coffee, delicious food and a stunning courtyard.