Narrative Art That Speaks To Your Soul - Dilrukshi Mendis Shop Fine Art Paintings

I am a Melbourne-based emerging contemporary narrative artist working primarily in painting. My practice explores the question of how one lives a meaningful life. Through larger narrative and allegorical works, as well as smaller paintings reflecting on what this looks like in daily living, I examine my responses to this question whilst inviting viewers to reflect on their own values and sense of meaning.

Some examples of my work are shown here. To view artwork available for purchase you can visit my online shop or Bluethumbart

Portrait and Figurative

I Stand Ready – a mythic Amazon painted in Acrylics on canvas (40 x 60 cm)

A woman looks out with determination surrounded by fire and chaos. She represents Hope that is aware, active and steadfast in a world of suffering — I Am Elpis (Hope) – inspired by the myth of Pandora’s box- this shows active and aware Hope in a world of chaos and suffering. Painted in Acrylic and Oil on canvas (60 x 60 cm)

Dancer continues performance and is paused mid step in the midst of an upside down world — The Show Must Go On – a dancer continues to perform in the midst of world turned upside down. Acrylic on Canvas (58 x66 cm)

three female faces gaze at the viewer. One with flame red and gold hair represnets the sun, while one in blue represnets the water and one last one with flowers in her hair represents earth — The Three Graces are inspired Greek mythology and represent the graces as being Earth, Water and sun- all of which we need to survive on this earth. Painted in Acrylics on canvas (60 x 60 cm)

A stylised woman with green skin stands at a balcony watching ships move around waiting for her opportunity — Waiting for my Ship to Come in depicts a figure poised and unafraid , waiting to seize on her opportunity. Painted in Acrylics on canvas ( 40 x 60 cm)

A woman dressed in traditional sri lankan bridal attire ( a white saree) a head ornament and several necklaces looks at the viewer — Kandyan Bride dressed in Sri Lankan wedding attire gazes out at the viewer with a pensive but hopeful expression. Charcoal and pastels on elephant dung paper (21 x 30 cm)

Depicting a Kandyan Nilame (chief) seated for his portrait dressed in formal attire of a red jacket and large red and gold hat, the real drama unfolds behind himA woman on the left turns curiously toward two figures whispering to the right — The Rajah shows a member of the aristrocracy during the time of the Kings of Sri Lanka sitting for his portrait whilst behind him is visible possible palace intrigue. Painte din Acrylics and ink on Aluminium panel (32 x 32 cm)

A woman in a black bikini sits with eyes closed and arms folded over her knees in the sunshine on a beach — Sun Worshipper shows a woman enjoying the sunshine. Complete din pastels and charcoal on toned paper. (21 x 30 cm)

Genre Paintings

A busy farmers market is depicted with rows of stalls and people — Farmers Markets attempts to capture liveliness and sense of diversity and community spirit at a market. Painted in Acrylic on canvas (60 x 90 cm)