“Abstract art has a rawness to it, an almost modern touch to a centuries-old form of expression: painting. I have incorporated a form of art known as abstract expressionism into my work. This helps me focus on using broad brushwork and preserving my emotional state of the perceived image I am currently working on.”

Dr. W. Ranjith Dharmathilake is a Sri Lankan artist whose work has evolved from finely observed naturalistic scenes to bold explorations in abstract expressionism. Early in his career, he worked extensively with watercolour, producing delicate images of landscapes, flora, and the natural environment. These pieces reflected a sensitivity to detail and a careful use of colour, revealing his ability to capture atmosphere and mood with restraint. Over time, however, he was drawn toward abstraction, a shift that allowed him to explore rhythm, form, and the raw emotional power of colour and brushstroke.

His thematic concerns range from nature and environment to cultural heritage, cityscapes, and symbolic references to power, war, and historical grandeur. In a 2025 interview, he described how he was encouraged by peers to explore abstract art more fully. His most recent solo exhibition, “Rhythm of Power,” reflects that shift, both in style and in subject. He uses shape and gesture to evoke themes of power, heritage, and social structures. Rather than relying on literal representation, he works with simplified palettes with occasional flashes of brighter hues to heighten emotional resonance. The results are paintings that balance dynamism with quietude, inviting viewers to engage both intellectually and intuitively.

Beyond his teaching role as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Visual Communication Design at the University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Dr. Dharmathilake directs the Center for Conceptual Anthropology and contributes to research on semiotics, colour theory, and visual communication. His published works include studies of how culture infuses media (e.g., television commercials), the semiotic role of colour in Sri Lankan society, and explorations of shape, rhythm, and emotion in abstract art. He has also won multiple awards in poster design and graphic arts, and his expertise is respected in cross-disciplinary forums that bridge art, design, culture, and communication.