Silent Strokes: The Noise of Painting brings together emerging Sri Lankan painters to highlight the enduring importance of painting in contemporary art. The title reflects a paradox: while painting is often quiet, each stroke carries energy, emotion, and meaning, creating a visual “noise” that communicates beyond words. Painting allows artists to transform a flat, two dimensional surface into spaces that feel alive, suggest depth, and evoke presence, bridging personal expression with shared experience. This exhibition emphasizes why painters are vital they observe, interpret, and translate human life, memory, and environment into visual language, reminding us of the power of creativity and reflection.
Radicle Gallery presents this exhibition to support emerging artists while maintaining a sustainable space for contemporary practice. Most of the proceeds from sales go directly to the artists, ensuring they benefit fully from their work, while a small amount helps the gallery continue its programs and provide a platform for new talent. By nurturing these artists now, the gallery invests in the future of Sri Lankan art, offering visibility, encouragement, and opportunities for growth.
Each artist brings a distinct perspective: Asmar Atham explores labour, memory, and ritual in paddy fields; Bani Manohansa visualizes psychological vulnerability among youth; Chalith Kalupahana investigates existence and perception; G.T. Nimantha examines desire and psychological tension through classical techniques; Ishan Wimaladharama celebrates brown skin and tropical landscapes; Kavishwara Jayasekara critiques social and political systems through symbolic imagery; Kavindu Sathsara addresses hidden marital abuse; Ponnaiyah Peter reflects on war, displacement, and impermanence; Ravindu Sadaruwan personifies the ocean to explore ecological fragility; and Venura Kasun portrays intimate interiors and emotional states. Together, these silent strokes form a collective resonance, affirming painting as a dynamic and evolving medium in Sri Lanka today.
