Sri Lankan artist Shanaka Kulathunga is in India with his first solo exhibition, ‘Silent Stories’. The exhibition presented by Gallery Silver Scapes brings together a compelling body of works shaped by memory, everyday life and cultural landscapes. Curated by Archana Khare-Ghose, the showcase brings a slice of Sri Lanka to India.
Opening on May 21 at Bikaner House in New Delhi, the exhibition features paintings in acrylic and oil and explores human experience through a visual language where figuration and landscape intersect. Rooted in lived experiences, the works draw from the rural life of Sri Lanka, personal memory and the relationship between people and their surroundings, creating compositions that are both intimate and reflective.
Born in Sri Lanka in 1981, Shanaka Kulathunga has developed a distinctive practice shaped by observation, introspection and a deep connection to everyday life. His works portray teachers, labourers, elders, children and dancers, capturing emotion and movement with immediacy. Drawing from both reality and imagination, his paintings explore themes of identity, affection and social dynamics through layered narratives and symbolic elements.
The artist’s works are deeply connected to the environment and experiences that have shaped him.
“My works are deeply connected to the environment and experiences that have shaped me. Through this exhibition in India, I hope to share a part of my world and create a space where viewers can connect their own memories with the narratives within the paintings,” says Shanaka Kulathunga.
“Each painting carries fragments of lived experiences, transformed through memory, imagination and observation. The figures and motifs often emerge as symbolic reflections of human emotion and our relationship with nature. Through this journey, I aim to create a dialogue where personal histories and universal experiences quietly intersect,” he adds.
Vikram Mayor, director, Gallery Silver Scapes, says presenting this exhibition in India is an important step towards building a deeper cultural exchange between Sri Lanka and India. “Personally, I deeply admire Shanaka’s body of work, especially his seascapes; the strokes and impastos are beautifully handled,” he says.
Curator Archana Khare-Ghose adds, “Shanaka’s work carries a quiet intensity that stays with you. There is a strong sense of observation and empathy in his practice, where everyday moments are transformed into something contemplative. This exhibition opens up a dialogue between closely connected cultural contexts.”
On view till May 28
