“Some of her works have traces of stoic draftsmanship of academic realism and others put forth an anxiety and overwhelming desire to free from such overtly disciplined nuances…Outspoken and bold in her expression, her collection of work reflects the restless, independent and eclectic nature of her persona.” Anoli Perera

Saraswathi Rockwood was a multifaceted artist whose contributions to painting and sculpture left an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscape. From a young age, she displayed a keen interest in the arts, sketching animals, birds, and flowers with color pencils. Her artistic talents were nurtured under the guidance of Mudliyar A.C.G.S. Amarasekera, and she further honed her skills at the Heywood School of Art, specializing in sculpting and pastel drawing.

Rockwood’s artistic repertoire was diverse, encompassing oil and watercolor paintings, pastels, and sculptures. Her works often depicted figures from nature and mythology. She was particularly fond of pastels, a medium she believed was underrated, appreciating its freshness of color and immediacy.  Her pastel portrait of Jean Pinto won first prize at an exhibition organized by the National Gallery, and her charcoal drawing of Mudliyar A.C.G.S. Amarasekera became part of the National Art Gallery’s permanent collection.

Her political cartoons had a defiant sense of satire, which spoke to the public via newspapers. In addition to her visual artistry, Rockwood was an accomplished violinist, having studied Carnatic music under Pandit S. Ratnaswami Aiyar, who bestowed upon her the name Saraswathi.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs awarded her the title ‘Kalapathi in 1987 and ‘Chitrakala Abhimani’ in 2005 in recognition of her artistic contributions. Despite facing health challenges in her later years, she remained dedicated to her art, producing a 2011 calendar titled Trees, featuring black and white charcoal sketches of various Sri Lankan trees, accompanied by a poem celebrating nature’s beauty. Her legacy endures through her artworks, which continue to inspire and captivate audiences.