Nayanananda Wijekulathilaka (b.1947)
“Nayanananda is a robust, allusive, anecdotal, figurative painter, in a manner that is unusual now. He bends his short powerful figures, both male and female, cast in his powerful image, he tells the story of his life and art…Nayanananda’s life and art is a clear demonstration that life, any life, is complemented rather than opposed by art.” B. Dissanayake
Nayananda Wijayakulathilaka (also known as W. Nayananda) is a notable figure in Sri Lanka’s visual arts scene. Nayananda was a victim and a participant of the 1971 insurrection in Sri Lanka. He was captured in 1972, held in remand for almost two years, and then sentenced to eight years in prison. Nayananda had a natural aptitude for art since childhood; he dreamed of studying art at the Government College of Fine Arts. Family pressure led him to enter the University of Ceylon (now University of Peradeniya) to study economics, geography, philosophy, and commerce. Nayananda joined the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna as a full-time cadre in 1970, ending his university studies.
During his trial and imprisonment, Nayananda self-studied art from books and developed his style. He was released from prison in 1977 after four years of confinement. His art during this time records his emotions and the cruelty of his environment. He created a series of pastels depicting the rape of Premawathi Manamperi, bearing the inscription ‘not a victim but a symbol’ during this period. This desire to express dissent and speak truth to power has carried over to much of his work, even when the subjects of his paintings are not expressly political.
Nayananda’s color palette tends to be comprised of darker shades. Motifs and symbolism abound in his paintings. He claims that the bali folk art of Ambalangoda is one of his key influences and he always tries to incorporate the color contrast seen in traditional bali paintings. He studied the folk art form under Karolis Gurunnanse in Paragahathota, Ambalangoda. His other influences and art teachers include Kingsley Gunathillake, H.B. Perera, S.P. Charles, and Padmalatha Rajapaksha (with whom he has had joint exhibitions).
He has held multiple exhibitions, the very first of them in 1976, when he was still a prisoner in Welikada prison. Since then, his unique voice has drawn attention from critics and collectors alike. He has been shortlisted multiple times for the ‘Artist of the Year’ award by the prestigious George Keyt Foundation.
Solo Exhibitions
Year | Exhibition | Venue |
2010 | Modern Damee | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2002 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1999 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1997 | Heritage Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1996 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1993 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1990 | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1990 | British Council, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1988 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
1978 | University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka |
Group Exhibitions
Year | Exhibition | Venue |
2024 | Joint Exhibition with Padmalatha Rajapaksha | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2019 | Bangladesh- Sri Lanka Art Camp Exhibtion | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2016 | Sri Lankan Art by George Keyt Foundation | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2015 | Sri Lankan Art by George Keyt Foundation | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2014 | Sri Lankan Art by George Keyt Foundation | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2013 | Sri Lankan Art by George Keyt Foundation | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2006 | Sri Lankan Art by George Keyt Foundation | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2004 | Joint Exhibition with Padmalatha Rajapaksha | Harold Pieris Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2003 | Sculptors and Painters by George Keyt Foundation | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
1999 | 3rd International Artists’ Camp Exhibition | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
1998 | Contemporary Sculpture of Sri Lanka | J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
1994 | Joint Exhibition with Premadasa Badugodahewa, Upasena Gunawardana, Swanee Jayawardana, and Saraswathi Rockwood | Renaissance Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
1993 | Joint Exhibition with Premadasa Badugodahewa and Seevali Illangasingha | Robinson Club, Bentota, Sri Lanka |
1991 | Joint Exhibition with Premadasa Badugodahewa, A.L.D.Sirisena, Rubert Soya | Queen’s Court, Ramada Renaissance Hotel, Colombo |
1976 | Annual Art Society Exhibition | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Publications
Year | Publication |
2024 | Celebrating Lanka’s Most Prominent Talent: ‘Sri Lankan Artists 2024’ Returns. The Morning, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 31st March 2024. |
2019 | Sharing a Canvas of Colour Across the Border. Sunday Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 24th March 2019. |
2003 | Cultural Elements from Everywhere. Sunday Observer, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 27th July 2003. |
2003 | Platform for Veterans and the New. Sunday Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 27th July 2003. |
1999 | Nayanananda. Written by Peter Growney. Published by Print-Inn, Rathmalana, Sri Lanka. |
Ref :N 2
Title :Death of Mahagamasekera
Signed :Lower Right
Year :1976
Measurements in Cms :60.5 x 41.5
Material Used :Pastels on Paper
Ref :N 3
Title :Lower Middle
Signed :Lower Left
Year :1976
Measurements in Cms :54 x 37
Material Used :Water Colour on Paper
Ref :N 22
Title :Self Portrait
Signed :Lower Right
Year :1984
Measurements in Cms :35 x 44.5
Material Used :Oil and Pastel on Paper
Ref :N 20
Title :Mega Reservoirs in Sri Lanka
Signed :Lower Left
Year :1986
Measurements in Cms :28 x 29
Material Used :Water Colour on Paper
Ref :N 10
Title :Nightmare
Signed :Lower Left
Year :1988
Measurements in Cms :70 x 93
Material Used :Oil on Canvas
Ref :N 14
Title :President Premadasa
Signed :Lower Right
Year :1990
Measurements in Cms :61.5 x 51.5
Material Used :Oil on Canvas
Ref :N 30
Title :President Premadasa
Signed :Lower Right
Year :1990
Measurements in Cms :57 x 42.5
Material Used :Water Colour on Demy paper
Ref :N 32
Title :The Short Leg Cow – “Pluwiska”
Signed :Lower Right
Year :1993
Measurements in Cms :47.5 x 34
Material Used :Ink & Pastel on Paper
Ref :N 16
Title :Padma Angry with Me
Signed :Lower Middle
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :40.5 x 43
Material Used :Acrylic on Canvas Board
Ref :N 6
Title :Frugal Meal
Signed :Upper Right
Year :2016
Measurements in Cms :105 x 102.5
Material Used :Oil on Canvas
Ref :N 7
Title :Galketiya Temple
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2016
Measurements in Cms :74 x 112.5
Material Used :Oil on Canvas
Ref :N 15
Title :Pregnant Woman with a Man
Signed :Upper Right
Year :2018
Measurements in Cms :41 x 42
Material Used :Acrylic on Canvas Board
Ref :N 8
Title :Before Sleep
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2019
Measurements in Cms :59 x 120.5
Material Used :Oil on Canvas Board
Ref :N 9
Title :Corona, Gorona, Nayana
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2020
Measurements in Cms :99 x 63.5
Material Used :Oil on Canvas
Ref :N 13
Title :Mother and Child
Signed :Upper Left
Year :2020
Measurements in Cms :59 x 52.5
Material Used :Acrylic on Canvas Board
Ref :N 1
Title :Jesus & Maria Magdalene
Signed :Lower Right
Measurements in Cms :78.5 x 50.5
Material Used :Oil on Canvas
Education
Year | Qualification | Institute |
1969 – 1970 | Bachelor of Commerce (did not complete) | University of Ceylon (presently University of Peradeniya) |
