SHEHAN MADAWELA (b.1960 Sri Lanka)
Shehan Madawela is self taught and has painted professionally for over 20 years. In 1994, he received the prestigious
Artist of the Year, George Keyt Foundation Award.
H.A. Anil Kumar, art historian and critic, in an early review observed:
“…More than anything, the style in which Shehan has painted … is so transparent that an audience can re-enact Shehan’s creative act, again and again…This has become possible just because Shehan stands on a groundless base…and hence experiences constantly, the ever-changing visions of the world around him.”
Stylistically, the depiction of suspension is a common thread in his work. In early works, Madawela focussed on human figures, faces, traditional mythology and history. The tantric images and style were evocative of Sri Lankan and Indian cave paintings.
In his
Rice Series, he grappled with rural dilemnas, depicting the ubiquitous grain of rice - a symbol of necessity. He often painted the rice grain in gold and silver tones suspended over a bowl – indicating urban economic value. The works reminded that we should catch good fortune without wasting as well as the commodity values of rural production. He now looks to the future, addressing broader themes and concerns of excess.
His works are collected internationally. He exhibits regularly in Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka. Madawela's works were exhibited through SGFA during New York's Asia Week 2006 and at the Nehru Centre, London in February 2005.
Select Collections
George Keyt Foundation, SL; Sapumal Foundation, SL; Ministry of Telecommunications, SL; The Anthropological Survey, India and numerous private international collections.
Major Literature
Artists in Mysore, by Naramani Somanath 2006
Island of Aesthetics, Asian Art Newspaper Nov. 2006
Sri Lankan Contemporary Art, Finance Asia (HK) 2004
