Arjuna Gunaratne painting acquired by Kiran Nadar Museum of Art India

• Arjuna is currently showing his exhibition ‘Outline’ at Saskia Fernando Gallery in Colombo

The painting ‘Here or There’ by one of Sri Lanka’s leading contemporary artists Arjuna Gunarathne, was recently acquired by Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in India for the museum’s permanent collection. 

Arjuna is a visual artist from Sri Lanka, currently based in London, United Kingdom and represented by Saskia Fernando Gallery in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The 180cm x 220cm painting was exhibited at the gallery’s recent presentation at the India Art Fair 2024 in Delhi.

Arjuna has presented his work in solo exhibitions in both Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Austria and the United Kingdom. In 2023 the artist was featured in the Coronation Exhibition organised by the Royal Drawing School at Christie’s London. Educated at Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts in Sri Lanka and Beaconhouse National University, Pakistan, in 2018 Gunarathne attended the Drawing Year Postgraduate program at the Royal Drawing School in London. An avid student of diverse visual arts practices, Gunarathne blends Eastern and Western traditions to create a unique visual language. 

Established as the initiative of the avid art collector Kiran Nadar, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art opened its doors to the public in January 2010, as the first private museum of art exhibiting modern and contemporary works from India and the sub-continent. Located in the heart of New Delhi, India’s capital city, KNMA as a non-commercial, not-for-profit organisation intends to exemplify the dynamic relationship between art and culture through its exhibitions, publications, educational, and public program. The acquisition of ‘Here or There’ by Gunarathne by KNMA will ensure that this work can be enjoyed by members of the public, students, scholars and children alike, for many generations to come.

Arjuna is currently showing his exhibition ‘Outline’ at Saskia Fernando Gallery in Sri Lanka. Established in 2009, Saskia Fernando Gallery specialises in contemporary Sri Lankan art, a leading representative of artists’ critical work across various platforms, including international exhibitions, gallery collaborations, public talks and fundraisers.