John Keells launches first free corporate Digital Art Gallery

John Keells Foundation, the CSR arm of John Keells Holdings PLC, announced the first free corporate digital art gallery for Sri Lankan artists to showcase their work throughout the year. This new online service is offered as part of John Keells Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote Sri Lankan art and artists and is aimed at eventually taking Sri Lankan art to a global clientele.

Any Sri Lankan artist over the age of 18 years can post his or her work (drawings, paintings and sculptures) on the main website – www.srilankanartgallery.com – which serves as an electronic portal between artists and buyers. The website has been designed in a user-friendly manner for both artists and visitors. Artists are able to open and manage their own accounts. Visitors to the website can browse through artists’ portfolios, and contact artists directly if they wish to purchase their work.

The website was launched at a simple ceremony by John Keells Group Chairman Susantha Ratnayake on 6 March 2013 in the presence of members of the Group’s Executive Committee and John Keells Foundation.

“We created this online art gallery due to many requests from local artists who wished to sell their art throughout the year to a broader clientele,” commented Nadija Tambiah, Head of CSR, John Keells Foundation. “Being a CSR initiative, our digital art gallery does not take any commissions from sales and the buyer liaises directly with the artist or their nominated gallery.”

The main website, Sri Lankan Art Gallery, also hosts the ‘John Keells Art Gallery’ through which the John Keells Foundation aims to showcase curated items of Sri Lankan art. Every item of work on the John Keells Art Gallery is handpicked by a panel of curators who are experts in the field and serve in an honorary capacity.

The current curators comprise Saskia Fernando – gallery owner and founder of Saskia Fernando Gallery, Michael Anthonisz – professional painter, Suresh Dominic – finder and collector of paintings and Udaya Hewawasam – Chief Conservator, ConsArt Conservation Studio. Curator Saskia Fernando observed: “I am delighted to serve on the curator panel. Given the vast pool of young talented artists emerging from Sri Lanka, I think this is a great opportunity for our artists to display their work to a truly global audience.”

The John Keells Group has a long history in supporting Sri Lankan art – notably as sole sponsors and organisers in association with George Keyt Foundation of Kala Pola, the country’s annual open air art fair which celebrated its 20th anniversary in January 2013.