About
Artist’s Bio
Manu was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka in 1975. He attended Trinity and Dharmaraja Colleges in Kandy. He spent one year attending school in Cambridge, UK. He also had the opportunity to train under a local professional artist in Kandy.
Manu showed an interest in art from a very young age. He was introduced to oil painting when he was in Cambridge and quickly focused on oils as his preferred medium. He studied art as a subject for his Ordinary Level examination. This gave him exposure to the art and history of art in Sri Lanka as well as Indian and Buddhist art. Manu won several awards as a student in regional and national art competitions.
Manu showed a keen interest in creative writing. He won several awards including the National Youth Awards in 1994 and 1995 for poetry and short story writing. He has published a collection of short stories and a children’s novel.
Manu received a scholarship to attend Franklin & Marshall, a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. He studied Business Administration for his undergraduate degree, but took the opportunity to take courses in art and literature.
After graduating, he returned to Sri Lanka and entered a career in web design. He has over two decades of experience in this industry, and has been a member of the teams that were awarded national and international web design awards.
Manu is a keen photographer and drone pilot, and has undertaken professional photography, videography and drone work for major corporations in Sri Lanka.
He continued to paint as a hobbyist during this time, but has chosen to focus on painting professionally in recent years.
Manu is a keen traveller, has lived in four continents, and has travelled to about 20 countries. He currently lives and works in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has participated in the Kala Pola annual art fair held in Colombo several times. His work is listed on Saatch Art and Sri Lankan Art Gallery websites. He has undertaken commissions for many Sri Lankan clients and has sold paintings to clients in several other countries.
Manu showed an interest in art from a very young age. He was introduced to oil painting when he was in Cambridge and quickly focused on oils as his preferred medium. He studied art as a subject for his Ordinary Level examination. This gave him exposure to the art and history of art in Sri Lanka as well as Indian and Buddhist art. Manu won several awards as a student in regional and national art competitions.
Manu showed a keen interest in creative writing. He won several awards including the National Youth Awards in 1994 and 1995 for poetry and short story writing. He has published a collection of short stories and a children’s novel.
Manu received a scholarship to attend Franklin & Marshall, a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. He studied Business Administration for his undergraduate degree, but took the opportunity to take courses in art and literature.
After graduating, he returned to Sri Lanka and entered a career in web design. He has over two decades of experience in this industry, and has been a member of the teams that were awarded national and international web design awards.
Manu is a keen photographer and drone pilot, and has undertaken professional photography, videography and drone work for major corporations in Sri Lanka.
He continued to paint as a hobbyist during this time, but has chosen to focus on painting professionally in recent years.
Manu is a keen traveller, has lived in four continents, and has travelled to about 20 countries. He currently lives and works in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has participated in the Kala Pola annual art fair held in Colombo several times. His work is listed on Saatch Art and Sri Lankan Art Gallery websites. He has undertaken commissions for many Sri Lankan clients and has sold paintings to clients in several other countries.
Artist Statement
In my artistic journey, I explore the depths of emotions and the essence of the human experience through the medium of oil paint on canvas. As a contemporary artist from Sri Lanka, I am influenced by synesthesia; I play music when I paint, and it affects my colour, lines, and shapes to transcend the boundaries of language and communicate on a visceral level.
My creative process is driven by a curiosity to experience the complexities of the world around me. I seek to visualise the intangible and the ineffable. My paintings are a reflection of the interconnectedness between the tangible and the abstract, the conscious and the subconscious, with a focus on identity.
Inspired by the vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka, my work is infused with a sense of place and belonging. The rich history, traditions, and natural beauty of this island nation seep into my subconscious and emerge onto the canvas, creating a unique blend of contemporary abstraction with echoes of ancient wisdom.
The process of creating is an introspective and meditative experience for me. Each artwork is a journey of self-discovery, allowing me to confront my emotions, fears, and hopes with raw honesty. I invite viewers to immerse themselves in the layers of colour, textures, and shapes, encouraging them to find their own interpretations and emotional connections.
I believe in pushing the boundaries of my craft, embracing experimentation, and constantly trying to venture into the unknown. I find solace in the freedom of abstraction, where rules dissolve, and intuition guides my hand. I hope that my art inspires others to embrace the beauty of ambiguity and find comfort in the undefined spaces of life.
Ultimately, my purpose as an artist is to provoke thought, stir emotions, and spark conversations. Through my creations, I strive to forge a profound connection with my audience, transcending cultural barriers and fostering a collective understanding of the human condition.
My creative process is driven by a curiosity to experience the complexities of the world around me. I seek to visualise the intangible and the ineffable. My paintings are a reflection of the interconnectedness between the tangible and the abstract, the conscious and the subconscious, with a focus on identity.
Inspired by the vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka, my work is infused with a sense of place and belonging. The rich history, traditions, and natural beauty of this island nation seep into my subconscious and emerge onto the canvas, creating a unique blend of contemporary abstraction with echoes of ancient wisdom.
The process of creating is an introspective and meditative experience for me. Each artwork is a journey of self-discovery, allowing me to confront my emotions, fears, and hopes with raw honesty. I invite viewers to immerse themselves in the layers of colour, textures, and shapes, encouraging them to find their own interpretations and emotional connections.
I believe in pushing the boundaries of my craft, embracing experimentation, and constantly trying to venture into the unknown. I find solace in the freedom of abstraction, where rules dissolve, and intuition guides my hand. I hope that my art inspires others to embrace the beauty of ambiguity and find comfort in the undefined spaces of life.
Ultimately, my purpose as an artist is to provoke thought, stir emotions, and spark conversations. Through my creations, I strive to forge a profound connection with my audience, transcending cultural barriers and fostering a collective understanding of the human condition.
Artist’s Bio
Manu was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka in 1975. He attended Trinity and Dharmaraja Colleges in Kandy. He spent one year attending school in Cambridge, UK. He also had the opportunity to train under a local professional artist in Kandy.
Manu showed an interest in art from a very young age. He was introduced to oil painting when he was in Cambridge and quickly focused on oils as his preferred medium. He studied art as a subject for his Ordinary Level examination. This gave him exposure to the art and history of art in Sri Lanka as well as Indian and Buddhist art. Manu won several awards as a student in regional and national art competitions.
Manu showed a keen interest in creative writing. He won several awards including the National Youth Awards in 1994 and 1995 for poetry and short story writing. He has published a collection of short stories and a children’s novel.
Manu received a scholarship to attend Franklin & Marshall, a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. He studied Business Administration for his undergraduate degree, but took the opportunity to take courses in art and literature.
After graduating, he returned to Sri Lanka and entered a career in web design. He has over two decades of experience in this industry, and has been a member of the teams that were awarded national and international web design awards.
Manu is a keen photographer and drone pilot, and has undertaken professional photography, videography and drone work for major corporations in Sri Lanka.
He continued to paint as a hobbyist during this time, but has chosen to focus on painting professionally in recent years.
Manu is a keen traveller, has lived in four continents, and has travelled to about 20 countries. He currently lives and works in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has participated in the Kala Pola annual art fair held in Colombo several times. His work is listed on Saatch Art and Sri Lankan Art Gallery websites. He has undertaken commissions for many Sri Lankan clients and has sold paintings to clients in several other countries.
Manu showed an interest in art from a very young age. He was introduced to oil painting when he was in Cambridge and quickly focused on oils as his preferred medium. He studied art as a subject for his Ordinary Level examination. This gave him exposure to the art and history of art in Sri Lanka as well as Indian and Buddhist art. Manu won several awards as a student in regional and national art competitions.
Manu showed a keen interest in creative writing. He won several awards including the National Youth Awards in 1994 and 1995 for poetry and short story writing. He has published a collection of short stories and a children’s novel.
Manu received a scholarship to attend Franklin & Marshall, a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. He studied Business Administration for his undergraduate degree, but took the opportunity to take courses in art and literature.
After graduating, he returned to Sri Lanka and entered a career in web design. He has over two decades of experience in this industry, and has been a member of the teams that were awarded national and international web design awards.
Manu is a keen photographer and drone pilot, and has undertaken professional photography, videography and drone work for major corporations in Sri Lanka.
He continued to paint as a hobbyist during this time, but has chosen to focus on painting professionally in recent years.
Manu is a keen traveller, has lived in four continents, and has travelled to about 20 countries. He currently lives and works in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has participated in the Kala Pola annual art fair held in Colombo several times. His work is listed on Saatch Art and Sri Lankan Art Gallery websites. He has undertaken commissions for many Sri Lankan clients and has sold paintings to clients in several other countries.
Artist Statement
In my artistic journey, I explore the depths of emotions and the essence of the human experience through the medium of oil paint on canvas. As a contemporary artist from Sri Lanka, I am influenced by synesthesia; I play music when I paint, and it affects my colour, lines, and shapes to transcend the boundaries of language and communicate on a visceral level.
My creative process is driven by a curiosity to experience the complexities of the world around me. I seek to visualise the intangible and the ineffable. My paintings are a reflection of the interconnectedness between the tangible and the abstract, the conscious and the subconscious, with a focus on identity.
Inspired by the vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka, my work is infused with a sense of place and belonging. The rich history, traditions, and natural beauty of this island nation seep into my subconscious and emerge onto the canvas, creating a unique blend of contemporary abstraction with echoes of ancient wisdom.
The process of creating is an introspective and meditative experience for me. Each artwork is a journey of self-discovery, allowing me to confront my emotions, fears, and hopes with raw honesty. I invite viewers to immerse themselves in the layers of colour, textures, and shapes, encouraging them to find their own interpretations and emotional connections.
I believe in pushing the boundaries of my craft, embracing experimentation, and constantly trying to venture into the unknown. I find solace in the freedom of abstraction, where rules dissolve, and intuition guides my hand. I hope that my art inspires others to embrace the beauty of ambiguity and find comfort in the undefined spaces of life.
Ultimately, my purpose as an artist is to provoke thought, stir emotions, and spark conversations. Through my creations, I strive to forge a profound connection with my audience, transcending cultural barriers and fostering a collective understanding of the human condition.
My creative process is driven by a curiosity to experience the complexities of the world around me. I seek to visualise the intangible and the ineffable. My paintings are a reflection of the interconnectedness between the tangible and the abstract, the conscious and the subconscious, with a focus on identity.
Inspired by the vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka, my work is infused with a sense of place and belonging. The rich history, traditions, and natural beauty of this island nation seep into my subconscious and emerge onto the canvas, creating a unique blend of contemporary abstraction with echoes of ancient wisdom.
The process of creating is an introspective and meditative experience for me. Each artwork is a journey of self-discovery, allowing me to confront my emotions, fears, and hopes with raw honesty. I invite viewers to immerse themselves in the layers of colour, textures, and shapes, encouraging them to find their own interpretations and emotional connections.
I believe in pushing the boundaries of my craft, embracing experimentation, and constantly trying to venture into the unknown. I find solace in the freedom of abstraction, where rules dissolve, and intuition guides my hand. I hope that my art inspires others to embrace the beauty of ambiguity and find comfort in the undefined spaces of life.
Ultimately, my purpose as an artist is to provoke thought, stir emotions, and spark conversations. Through my creations, I strive to forge a profound connection with my audience, transcending cultural barriers and fostering a collective understanding of the human condition.
