A medical doctor with a dab hand at art

By Aakil Riyaz

Art has been the fulcrum of human society for centuries. It doesn’t simply serve as a medium of expression, but also a means of encapsulating and showcasing human emotion in their rawest form. From the emergence of cave paintings nearly 40,000 years ago to the propagation of various periods of art throughout human history, none have been more significant as the renaissance. From Leonardo Da Vinci to Michelangelo, artists of varying calibre contributed to the reawakening of the human spirit through various paintings & sculptures. Centuries later we are still in awe at the accuracy these artistic marvels resemble to the human body. The secret behind this? These artists behind these creations possessed an immense knowledge of human anatomy, thereby enabling them to manipulate their medium of work as required. 

But how does this relate to the Sri Lankan context, you might ask? We have with us a multi-disciplinary individual who is greatly reminiscent of a modern day renaissance artist. 

Dr. Shanaka Kulathunga is a medical doctor with a dab hand at art. An alumnus of the Colombo Medical School, he tangentially pursued an education at the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts, where he came under the tutelage of esteemed Sri Lankan artist Chandragupta Thenuwara. 

Gaining a wealth of knowledge 

During his time at the academy, Dr. Kulathunga was able to gain a wealth of knowledge, particularly on life drawings (a discipline of art that represents the human form, which is done through the observation of a live model), academic paintings and the use of oil on canvas, along with a grounded foundation on art history. Moreover, he is greatly experienced in applying art in realistic form, which is a delicate process.

Now a successful medical doctor by profession, Dr. Kulathunga was once faced with the dilemma of having to choose between a career in the medical field and his passion for art. Despite being selected to the Colombo Medical School, he intended to pursue his deep yearning for art, leading to his enrolment at the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts. 

Learning about the human anatomy through his art program and learning about the anatomy in medical school, instilled in Shanaka a profound understanding of the contours, dichotomy and composition of the human body, which her translated into art. “Renaissance artists like Michael Angelo & Da Vinci, extensively studied anatomy before commencing on any of their paintings”, Dr. Kulathunga states. 

As his repertoire and mastery increased, Dr. Kulathunga decided to showcase his work through an exhibition. With the help of the Arts Society of the Medical School, he was able to hold his first solo art exhibition in 2008. 

Following this, Dr. Shanaka was posted to a hospital in the Eastern province for his internship in 2009. As he worked to deepen his knowledge on the science of life, he subconsciously began to broaden his understanding of art. Inspired by the day to day phenomena of his surroundings such as the rustic lifestyle of the local people, Dr. Kulathunga tapped into this fountain of inspiration, effectively translating this into art. 

With two solo art exhibitions successfully under his belt, Dr. Kulathunga’s mastery over his craft has reached international heights. He had the privilege of showcasing his painting titled, ‘The Seascape’, at the Living Tradition Centre, Bikaner House in New Delhi, earlier this year. His painting was one among many creations done by esteemed artists in the region. 

“Those around me always appreciate my work and I believe that I have an aptitude for it as it gives me great joy and enthusiasm to work on my art”, adds Dr. Kulathunga. 

As of now, Dr. Kulathunga is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Kelaniya, while tirelessly working on his upcoming exhibition, which he is yet to unveil. The exhibition is slated to be held later this year in New Delhi. 

Embedded deep within Dr. Kulathunga’s art, is the unyielding rawness of human creativity coupled with a profound understanding of something so simple, yet intensely complex, the feeling of being human.  Moreover, his art is a testament to the human ability to channel one’s learnings and lived experiences into pictures that tell their own story. In short, the art speaks for itself, leaving behind a reverberating echo that transcends the ordinary.