Fast emerging as one of Asia’s most exciting cultural hubs, Colombo offers myriad creative places to visit, all of which will delight lovers of art, design and architecture. Amongst the city stalwarts, such as Sapumal Foundation, set up by the painter Harry Pieris, the iconic Barefoot Gallery and Colombo National Museum, are vibrant new spots welcoming legions of art fans, including The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (currently in the process of securing its new base after a successful run within Crescat Boulevard), and Millennium Art Contemporary, on the outskirts of the city.
With the likes of Ena de Silva, Geoffrey Bawa, Laki Senanayake and George Keyt having paved the way for the latest generation of artists, today it’s well worth scouting out works by legendary artist Tilak Samarawickrema, who calls Colombo home, as well as the dream-like pieces by contemporary artist Chamila Gamage. The capital’s art scene really is as exciting as ever, and so for inspiration and contemplation, these are the best art galleries, museums and cultural spaces to visit in Colombo right now.
Colombo’s newest gallery, close to the Dutch Hospital precinct, is one of the largest spaces not only in the city but across the country, taking up two floors of the historic De Mel Building. Once used as a backdrop in Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” music video back in the early 1980s, the building is not only architecturally stunning but also houses a speciality coffee shop alongside its expansive gallery areas. One of the most exciting exhibitions it hosted of late was Priyantha Udagedara’s striking solo exhibit Terra Nullius. Using collage and acrylic on canvas, Udagedara’s work puts Sri Lanka’s flora and fauna front and centre, celebrating its unique beauty while also commenting on how the island may have looked before colonisation and occupation. As well as moving solo shows, Radicle revolving body of work at street level, most of which can be purchased.