Prasanna Weerakkody - Paintings
Introduction
Raised in a background rich in art and Sinhala cultural experiences. I took to
painting at an early age, My early work mainly focused on Sri Lankan Wildlife
soon becoming prominent among the leading wildlife artists and natural history
illustrators in Sri Lanka. In addition to paintings I produced technically accurate
species illustrations for 3 posters on Coral reef fishes for Sri Lanka and for the
state of Brunei, and A book on Whales and Dolphins Sri Lanka
I developed an interest in Sri Lankan history and culture from an early age;
inspired mainly by my father Artist/ Sculptor and cinema Art director, Ariyawansa
Weerakkody. What initially started as a research on early Sri Lankan weapons
and Armor soon lead me to take up painting reconstructions of ancient Sinhala
warriors based on the research findings. The exceptional public response to the
paintings lead me in to changing my path in to painting depictions of an
expanding spectrum of Historic reconstructions of ancient Sinhala costumes, life
styles and historic events.
Each of my works is based on research findings and attempt to highlight an
aspect of early Sinhala lifestyles that is obscure and not realized as Sinhalese in
the popular conscience; from costumes to hair styles, weapons, Armor and
technology. The paintings are all based on research and aim to be as accurate as
possible to available information. in addition I explore theoretical possibilities
based on accepted concepts; such as basing Ancient armor designs on existing
traditional dance costumes which some authorities consider to be relicts of the
earlier warrior costumes; a fact that could be justified in the analysis of the
design elements of the present material.
It is my mission in life to bring out to the public the true richness of the
ancient Sinhala people and their lifestyles through the medium of
painting.
painting at an early age, My early work mainly focused on Sri Lankan Wildlife
soon becoming prominent among the leading wildlife artists and natural history
illustrators in Sri Lanka. In addition to paintings I produced technically accurate
species illustrations for 3 posters on Coral reef fishes for Sri Lanka and for the
state of Brunei, and A book on Whales and Dolphins Sri Lanka
I developed an interest in Sri Lankan history and culture from an early age;
inspired mainly by my father Artist/ Sculptor and cinema Art director, Ariyawansa
Weerakkody. What initially started as a research on early Sri Lankan weapons
and Armor soon lead me to take up painting reconstructions of ancient Sinhala
warriors based on the research findings. The exceptional public response to the
paintings lead me in to changing my path in to painting depictions of an
expanding spectrum of Historic reconstructions of ancient Sinhala costumes, life
styles and historic events.
Each of my works is based on research findings and attempt to highlight an
aspect of early Sinhala lifestyles that is obscure and not realized as Sinhalese in
the popular conscience; from costumes to hair styles, weapons, Armor and
technology. The paintings are all based on research and aim to be as accurate as
possible to available information. in addition I explore theoretical possibilities
based on accepted concepts; such as basing Ancient armor designs on existing
traditional dance costumes which some authorities consider to be relicts of the
earlier warrior costumes; a fact that could be justified in the analysis of the
design elements of the present material.
It is my mission in life to bring out to the public the true richness of the
ancient Sinhala people and their lifestyles through the medium of
painting.
Major paintings on Public display and collections.
"Court of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe" 7'x5' Acrylic on
canvass, Colombo international airport, Sri Lanka.
"Audience of Dutch ambassador General Hulft by King
Rajasinghe II" 7'x5' Acrylic on canvass, Colombo international
airport, Sri Lanka.
"Path of Sinhala warriors" 10'x 5' Acrylic on Canvass, Ministry of
Defense and Public security, Sri Lanka.
"Siege of Colombo Fort by King Rajasinghe I" 8'x 4.5' Acrylic on
Canvass, Defense Staff college, Kiribathgoda, Sri Lanka.
“Battle of Mulleriyawela” under commission. 4’ x7’, Acrylic on
Canvass, Defense Staff college, Kiribathgoda, Sri Lanka.
Destruction of Kelaniya viharaya by Portuguese". 12.5'x 6.5' Oil
on canvass,. Private collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
"King Kassapa of Sigiriya" under commission. 12.5 x 6', Acrylic
on Canvass, Private collection, Hotel Legend of Selagama,Matale,
"Maha Bodhi Embassy”, 4’x 8’ under commission Acrylic on
Canvass, Sri Lankan High commission in India.
"Sinhala artillery- siege of Colombo" 8'x 4.5' Acrylic on Canvass,
Sri Lanka Army - Artillary HQ, Panagoda, Sri Lanka.
“Fall of Elara” 6’ x11’ (x3), under commission Acrylic on Canvass,
Private collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
“1818 Killing Fields -Ceylon" 4"x 7". Acrylic on canvas, Private
collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
Abduction of Princess Swarnapali 3"x 7". Acrylic on canvas,
Private collection of Mr. Palitha Antony
1803 Fall of the Red coats Acrylic on canvass,
Private colection 55TG gallery
Death of A Conquistador- Randeniwela battle” 7ft x 4.75ft,
Acrylic on Canvas, Private collection – Mahesh de Alwis
Ayurveda /Hela Veda roots of Lanka. 11ft x 5ft, Acrylic on Canvas
On display at the Aadithya Ayurveda Hospital- Anuradhapura
"Court of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe" 7'x5' Acrylic on
canvass, Colombo international airport, Sri Lanka.
"Audience of Dutch ambassador General Hulft by King
Rajasinghe II" 7'x5' Acrylic on canvass, Colombo international
airport, Sri Lanka.
"Path of Sinhala warriors" 10'x 5' Acrylic on Canvass, Ministry of
Defense and Public security, Sri Lanka.
"Siege of Colombo Fort by King Rajasinghe I" 8'x 4.5' Acrylic on
Canvass, Defense Staff college, Kiribathgoda, Sri Lanka.
“Battle of Mulleriyawela” under commission. 4’ x7’, Acrylic on
Canvass, Defense Staff college, Kiribathgoda, Sri Lanka.
Destruction of Kelaniya viharaya by Portuguese". 12.5'x 6.5' Oil
on canvass,. Private collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
"King Kassapa of Sigiriya" under commission. 12.5 x 6', Acrylic
on Canvass, Private collection, Hotel Legend of Selagama,Matale,
"Maha Bodhi Embassy”, 4’x 8’ under commission Acrylic on
Canvass, Sri Lankan High commission in India.
"Sinhala artillery- siege of Colombo" 8'x 4.5' Acrylic on Canvass,
Sri Lanka Army - Artillary HQ, Panagoda, Sri Lanka.
“Fall of Elara” 6’ x11’ (x3), under commission Acrylic on Canvass,
Private collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
“1818 Killing Fields -Ceylon" 4"x 7". Acrylic on canvas, Private
collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
Abduction of Princess Swarnapali 3"x 7". Acrylic on canvas,
Private collection of Mr. Palitha Antony
1803 Fall of the Red coats Acrylic on canvass,
Private colection 55TG gallery
Death of A Conquistador- Randeniwela battle” 7ft x 4.75ft,
Acrylic on Canvas, Private collection – Mahesh de Alwis
Ayurveda /Hela Veda roots of Lanka. 11ft x 5ft, Acrylic on Canvas
On display at the Aadithya Ayurveda Hospital- Anuradhapura
