Sanjeewee Senevirathna (b.1978)
“His earlier work took on a blend of second and fourth watercolour eras, which later developed under the influence of modern trends from the European and Asian regions, beelining towards artistic maturity and a unique identity.
Modern Sri Lankan water colour trends mingled into existence with Sanjeewee’s work in 2010. Sanjeewee has explicated a Sri Lankan identity internationally, having emerged victorious in numerous water colour contests..” Hashini Gunasekera
Sanjeewee Senevirathna’s passion for watercolour was ignited in school through his teacher Obeysena Ranasingha, and refined by studying masters like M.D.S. Gunathilake, Alvaro Castagnet, Joseph Zbukvic, and Chien Ching Wei. This foundation laid the groundwork for his meticulous command over the medium’s technical demands.
Senevirathna’s early work focused on colonial-era Colombo landmarks, unveiled in his acclaimed 2008 solo show Reflective Landmarks at Lionel Wendt, which captured heritage architecture through stunning wet-on-wet washes and narrative depth. Beyond cityscapes, his series Urban Space (2016) pondered the human-built world—buildings, vehicles, sea and trees—reflecting our interaction with constructed environments through dynamic spatial compositional choices. Critics praise his ability to weave surreal atmospheres into everyday scenes, balancing structure and spontaneity—what he calls the fusion of the technical with the artistic.
He has held multiple solo exhibitions in Sri Lanka and abroad. Notable local shows include Reflections of Water Colors (2002), Reflective Moods (2005), and Urban Space (2016). In 2017, he curated and led the group exhibition Beyond the Water Margin at Lionel Wendt, showcasing seven contemporary Sri Lankan watercolourists and elevating the genre’s visibility. He’s also participated in international festivals, including multiple biennales organized by the International Watercolor Society.
Deeply committed to nurturing future artists, Senevirathna heads the International Watercolour Society chapter of Sri Lanka and leads the Fabriano Sri Lanka chapter. He teaches at Thriwarna Fine Arts Academy and regularly runs specialized workshops. His educational ethos combines technical precision with creative vision, mentoring students to explore individual narratives through watercolour—echoing his own journey as both practitioner and innovator.
Solo Exhibitions
Year | Exhibition | Venue |
2016 | Urban Space | Lionel Wendt Gallery , Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2008 | Reflective Landmarks | Lionel Wendt Gallery , Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2005 | Reflective Moods | Phenomenal Space Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2004 | Anglican Churches of Colombo | Cathedral of Christ the Living Savior, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2002 | Reflections of Water Colors | Alliance François Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Group Exhibitions
Year | Exhibition | Venue |
2023 | 11th Anniversary of IWS Globe & Global Watercolor Day 2023 | Rustic Canvas, Poruwadanda, Sri Lanka |
2022 | Re-Interpretation: International Young Artists’ Watercolor Exhibition | Shanghai, China |
2022 | The Great Beauty of Harmony | Yunnan, China |
2022 | Fabriano in Watercolor | Fabriano, Italy |
2021 | Fabriano in Watercolor | Fabriano, Italy |
2021 | Watercolor Art Exhibition of International Young Artists | Guangzhou Metropolitan City, China |
2021 | 7th Lushan International Watercolor Festival | Southeast Art Museum, Nanjing, China |
2021 | Re-Interpretation: The 2nd Zhuhai (China) International Watercolor Exhibition | Wuyuan, China |
2020 | Re-Interpretation: The 1st Wuyuan International Watercolor Exhibition | Zhuhai, China |
2021 | Fabriano in Watercolor | Fabriano, Italy |
2020 | Unseen to be Seen | India |
2020 | Fabriano in Watercolor | Fabriano, Italy |
2019 | 1st INDIA OlympiArt: IWS International Watercolor Exhibition | New Delhi, India |
2019 | IWS Kosovo International Watercolor Biennial – 2nd Edition | Kosovo |
2019 | Padova in Watercolor | Padova, Italy |
2019 | Lecco in Watercolor | Lecco, Italy |
2019 | Palettes of Modern Art | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2019 | IWS Vietnam International Watercolor Biennale | Vietnam |
2019 | Fabriano in Watercolor | Fabriano, Italy |
2018 | Esde Christmas Exhibition | Cagliari, Italy |
2018 | Galleria Esde International Watercolor Contest | Cagliari, Italy |
2018 | Beyond The Water Margin – Season 2 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2018 | 1st Malaysia IWS International Watercolor Biennale | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
2018 | 1st IWS Costa Rica International Watercolor Festival | Costa Rica |
2018 | National Watercolor Society Members Exhibition | San Pedro, California, USA |
2018 | Fabriano in Watercolor | Fabriano, Italy |
2018 | 1st IWS International Watercolor Society Bangladesh Biennale | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
2018 | Galle Art Trail: Fairway Galle Literary Festival | Galle, Sri Lanka |
2017 | Korean-Sri Lankan International Visual Art Exhibition | JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2017 | 2nd IWS International Watercolor Society India Biennale | New Delhi, India |
2017 | Heritage Art: IWS Indonesia 2nd International Watercolor Exhibition | Yogyakarta, Indonesia |
2017 | Beyond The Water Margin | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2017 | VIZART: 2nd IWS Tirana International Watercolor Biennale | National Historical Museum, Tirana, Albania |
2017 | Love & United: IWS 1st International Watercolor Biennale | Hong Kong |
2016 | ELITE 2015-2016 IWS Master of Watercolor Tirana International Fair | Palace of Congresses, Tirana, Albania |
2016 – 2019 | Sri Lankan Artist | JDA. Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2016 | 13 Strokes | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2016 | Large Size IWS International Watercolor Exhibition | Gallery Arte Enti, Mexico City, Mexico |
2015 | International Watercolor Festival | National Historical Museum, Tirana, Albania |
2015 | Nawa Kala Karuvo | JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2014 | Nawa Kala Karuvo | JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2013 | Nawa Kala Karuvo | JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2012 | Nawa Kala Karuvo | JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2005 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2004 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2004 | Water Colour Impressions | Thambapanni Restaurant, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2003 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2002 | Five Vision | Library Exhibition Hall, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka |
2002 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2001 | Mihisara Pehesara 2 | Library Exhibition Hall, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka |
2001 | Young Contemporaries | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2001 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
2000 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
1999 | Mihisara Pehesara 1 | Library Exhibition Hall, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka |
1999 | Kauthuka – 99 | Antiquities Replica Center, Bataleeya, Sri Lanka |
1999 | Annual Exhibition of the Ceylon Art Council | National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Publications
Year | Publication |
2018 | A Creative Watercolour Exhibition by Seven Artists. Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 18th August 2018. |
2018 | Beyond the Water Margin Returns with Well-Known Artists and Newcomers. Sunday Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 12th August 12 2018. |
2017 | A Conglomeration of Canvas Creativity. Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 17th August 2017. |
2016 | Spreading Vibrant Sri Lankan Art. Sunday Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 26th June 2016. |
2016 | Surreal and Real. Sunday Observer, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 21st February 2016. |
2016 | Sanjeewee’s Strokes of People and Spaces. Sunday Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 14th August 2016. |
2016 | Masterpieces Of Watercolors with the World Of Artists Contest. USA Art News, United States. 5th November 2016. |
2008 | Making His Own Mark with Landmarks. Sunday Times, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 09th November 09 2008. |
Ref :SS 8
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2005
Measurements in Cms :91.5 x 122
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 1
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Middle Right
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :120.5 x 88.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 2
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :88.5 x 120.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 4
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :153 x 121
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 5
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Middle Left
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :121 x 153
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 6
Title :Untitled – – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :151 x 122
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 9
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :122.5 x 151.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 11
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :152.5 x 120.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 12
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2006
Measurements in Cms :151.5 x 121.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 7
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Lower Middle
Year :2007
Measurements in Cms :152 x 121.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 3
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Signed :Middle Left
Measurements in Cms :120.5 x 89
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Ref :SS 10
Title :Untitled – From the first Solo Exhibition titled ‘THE GATE’ – 2005
Measurements in Cms :152 x 122.5
Material Used :Mixed Media on Canvas
Education
Year | Qualification | Institute |
2004 | Drawing and Painting Course | Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts, Ethul Kotte, Sri Lanka |
2003 | Bachelor of Arts Special Honours’ degree in Fine Arts | University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka |
1999 | Painting and Sculpture Course | Antiquities Replica Center, Bataleeya, Sri Lanka |
