‘17 Paintings’: An upcoming art exhibition by S. H. Sarath

Sarath skillfully fuses traditional Sri Lankan aesthetics with Western artistic elements, particularly Picasso’s Cubism style.

Renowned Sri Lankan artist S. H. Sarath

By Zainab Hussein

Renowned artist S. H. Sarath warmly invites art lovers to immerse themselves in vibrant local colour and emotion at his upcoming art exhibition, titled ‘17 Paintings,’ which will showcase his most recent creations. The exhibition will be open to visitors from January 26 to 29, from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm at the JDA Perera Gallery, located in 46, Horton Place, Colombo 07. 
This is an opportunity for all art lovers to experience the remarkable works of this artist, whose paintings are exhibited at prominent institutions such as the United Nations in Geneva, UNICEF, Sri Lanka’s National Gallery, Bandaranaike International Airport, and Ecka Gallery inYugoslvia. Sarath’s first solo exhibition was held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery in 1974, an occasion graced by the presence of prominent writer Martin Wickramasinghe. Since then, he has hosted over twenty-five solo exhibitions at the same venue, underscoring his enduring contribution to the arts.
During a discussion with Sarath, he explained that he discovered his passion for artistic expression at the age of 18, and began his academic journey at the Government College of Fine Arts, Colombo, where he graduated with a Diploma in Painting and Sculpture. In 1979, he attended Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand under a UNESCO Fellowship to study Thai and Sri Lankan art. In 1995, he further expanded his expertise by pursuing studies in visual arts and printmaking at the University of South Australia in Adelaide. 
Sarath received the 2017 ‘Kala Soori’ National Honour for Arts awarded by the President of Sri Lanka. In 2018, an exhibition commemorating 50 years of artistic practice was ceremonially opened by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. In 2019, the Film Corporation awarded him with a Certificate of Honour for his contribution to Sri Lankan cinema as an art director. He was also the Vice President of the Ceylon Society of Arts from 1982-83 and served as the member of the Arts Panel of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for 25 years.

The upcoming art exhibition, titled ‘17 Paintings,’ which will showcase Sarath’s most recent creations

His art deeply explores themes of love, desire, spirituality, heritage, and portrays the harsh reality of life. Drawing inspiration from Kandyan mural paintings that grace the walls of local temples, he works primarily with oil on canvas, skillfully fusing traditional Sri Lankan aesthetics with Western artistic elements, particularly Picasso’s Cubism. His style of art cannot be  replicated as it is a unique expression shaped by his own intellect, perception, and lived experience. So, take a moment to step in and contemplate these beautiful paintings. The interpretations are endless, and while it may be subjective, observing art through the lens of its creator offers a rare and insightful perspective.