Narrative Art that speaks to your soul

I am a Sri Lankan-born contemporary artist based in Melbourne. My practice explores themes of identity, belonging, and resilience, through visual stories rooted in my heritage and lived experience. For many years, I felt a disconnect with the art around me, as I felt it didn’t represent me. The making of art that resonated and created connections with others like me became a driving force behind my work. I am currently developing Apekshava (Hope), the first in a series exploring resilience as an act of Hope, to be followed by Upekha (Serenity).

 

Some works available for sale are pictured in situ here, which provides a better idea of size and scale. You can also shop online for more of at my work at Bluethumbart or at Page One Gallery.

Portrait and Figurative

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I Stand Ready - a mythic Amazon painted in Acrylics on canvas (40 x 60 cm)
Dilrukshi Mendis TheLiliesoftheFieldDoNotToilOrSpin
The Lilies of the Field Do Not Toil or Spin - exploring the power of resilience and perseverance in pursuit of a dream. Oil & Acrylic on canvas (40 x 60 cm)
Self portrait in charcoal and pastel
Self Portrait - completed in pastel and charcoal on elephant dung paper (A4 size)
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)
A woman sits on a chair setting down a cup while behind her is a bookcase. A cat sleeps at her feet. A shadowy face watches through the window outside. A cup is placed on a stool in the foreground
The Final Sip attempts to capture what one might wish one's final moments of life on this earth are to be.painted in Acrylic and Oil on canvas (40 x 60 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)