Nilmini Bandara holds solo exhibition ‘Fragrance’ in Tokyo

• Event opens new dialogue on Sri Lankan artists’ ability and versatility in fitting into cultural roots of another country

By Prasad Abu Bakr

An exhibition by Sri Lankan artist Nilmini Bandara titled ‘Fragrance’ was recently shown at the Siacca Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.

Nilmini Bandara has been living, working, and studying in Tokyo, Japan for many years and equally presenting many exhibitions of her works during her stay. 

She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Major Graphic Design) at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, Sri Lanka (2014-2018). She completed her Master of Arts (specialising in Japanese style paintings) at the University of Sojo in Kumamoto, Japan (2020-2022). 

Nihonga is Bandara’s addictive painting style, and she researched and practised the Nihonga technique during her master’s degree. Nihonga is a process that works on a natural method.

She received awards from many Japanese exhibitions since she moved to Japan. Soon after completing her master’s degree, she joined the Yume1 production company in Japan as an artist. It was an incredible journey for her with valuable experiences, and her fundamental discoveries there inspired and drove her to continue her professional life in Japan. Later, she ventured into the realm of painting conservation at Disneyland Tokyo, adding another dimension to her artistic career. 

Bandara was initially inspired to include lotus flowers in her paintings, but later added seasonal blossoms such as sakuras, irises, peonies, and poppies. She dreamt of seeing the blooming flowers of Sri Lanka and Japan blended within one frame depicted as one painting. 

In this recent exhibition of hers, Bandara has managed to somewhat achieve those dreams. In the process, one observes the nature of Sri Lanka as well as the nature of Japan and inspires the beauty and wonder of that living environment. These explorations and observations were then transformed into sketches and drawings since Nihonga is not only a painting style, but also a cultural association binding into Japanese society.

The lotus flower, bud, and lakes, which are familiar to her from her childhood, are forever etched in her memory because the lake in Digana – located opposite her home – was registered in her memory as a child. The lake, which is filled with lotus flowers throughout the year, has been a registered thought in her mind even during her stay in Japan, bringing nostalgic memories over the years.

Bandara remembers the fragrance of lotus flowers, the smell of mud, and the taste of the lotus seeds (which are edible when cooked). She made an effort to express and present the flowers, so that viewers can see them in the work and feel them in their hearts.

“Fascinated by the flowers blooming in the natural environments of Sri Lanka and Japan, I began drawing the flowers I saw as a habit, and I find endless inspiration in drawing flowers of all sizes, from the smallest to the grandest. Among them, the lotus flower is the standout feature of my style. When I draw these flowers on a Nihonga panel, I not only capture their unique shapes and colours, but also sense their fragrance. Based on these experiences, I have named this art exhibition ‘Fragrance’. It is my dream to share this inspiration with the audience who view my art. It is a natural law that all blooming flowers gradually fade away. My hope is to convey, through various forms of art, the delightful sensation of continuously experiencing the fragrance of those flowers without their fading. That is why I believe it is fitting to name that feeling ‘fragrance’.”

Nilmini Bandara Exhibitions

2020 – SoDA × Kawajiri Sojo University Graduate of Arts Exhibition (Kumamoto Craft Centre, Japan)

2021 - &and Comfy Hotel Kumamoto Castle View Barbizon Project 2nd Entry Exhibition (Kumamoto, Japan)

2021 – Awarded for the 5th New Spring Exhibition (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan)

2021 – 3rd Azumino Ryofu Fan Exhibition (Azumino Toyoshina Museum of Modern Art, Nagano, Japan)

2021 – Association Award, 76th Kumamoto Prefectural Art Association Exhibition (Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art, Kumamoto)

2021 – Awarded for the 8th (Nitten) The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (The National Art Centre, Tokyo)

2021 – Scope – Bokura Seikatsu Exhibition – Sojo University Graduate Exhibition (Sojo Gallery, Kumamoto)

2021 – SoDA × Kawajiri Sojo University Graduate of Arts Exhibition (Kumamoto Craft Centre, Kumamoto)

2021 – Sojo University Art Department Japanese Painting Course Exhibition (Sojo Gallery, Kumamoto)

2022 – Sojo University Faculty of Arts Graduation Exhibition/Graduate of Arts Exhibition (Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art, Kumamoto)

2022 – Awarded for the 6th New Spring Exhibition (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo)

2022 – 4th Azumino Ryofu Fan Exhibition (Azumino Toyoshina Museum of Modern Art, Nagano, Japan)

2022 – Effort Award at the 77th Kumamoto Prefectural Art Association Exhibition (Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art, Kumamoto)

2022 – Awarded for the 9th (Nitten) The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (The National Art Centre, Tokyo)

2024 – 59th Showakaiten Award (Galerie Nichido, Ginza, Tokyo)