Justin Daraniyagala’s Oil Paintings Exhibition opens today

Justin Daraniyagala is considered one of Sri Lanka’s greatest modern artists and achieved International recognition for his oil on canvas pieces.

 His work has been exhibited in galleries across the world including the prestigious Leicester Galleries in London, alongside the works of legends such as Pablo Picasso.

Daraniyagala was awarded a UNESCO prize for his oil painting ‘The Fish’ and has in life and death, received a plethora of impressive reviews for his work. Smithsonian curator, Donald R McClelland in reference to Daraniyagala’s work once wrote ‘One of the most significant movements in Eastern art today can be found on the Island of Ceylon.

Its importance lies in the synthesis of traditional art forms and those deriving from the West which has produced painting truly Eastern in inspiration, yet of universal validity. Justin Pieris Daraniyagala helped to establish this new movement and, in fact was its most important member’.

The Exhibition showcases a varied collection of the artist’s work. Also, available for purchase at the exhibtion is the exclusive book “Justin Daraniyagala – Oil Paintings”, which covers the life and work of this renowned figure who has made a lasting impact in the art history of Sri Lanka and the world. The exhibition of Justin Daraniyagala’s oil paintings will be held from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm at the Courtyard at Cinnamon Grand Colombo on Saturday 25 June. The exhibition is open to the public and admission is free of charge.

 The Justin Daraniyagala Oil Paintings Exhibition is sponsored by the John Keells Foundation, as part of the “Arts and Culture” focus of the company’s CSR arm.