Working primarily with clay, Nihara Cooray (b 1990, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Currently works and lives in Colombo) explores both sculptural and conceptual possibilities of ceramics. Her process includes hand building and surface experimentation, allowing form and material to carry psychological and spatial meaning. Clay becomes a medium through which she investigates fragility, tension, and transformation, extending beyond functional traditions into contemporary sculptural expression.
She initially studied Interior Design and worked in the field before transitioning to ceramics, where her understanding of space, structure, and form informs her artistic approach. This shift allowed her to develop a material language rooted in observation and lived experience.
Her practice continues to evolve through studio research, focusing on the expressive and conceptual potential of ceramics within contemporary art discourse. She is recognized for her sensitive handling of material and her ability to translate social questions into restrained yet evocative forms, contributing to emerging conversations in Sri Lankan ceramic practice.