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Sri Lankan Modern Female Artist Nalini Jayasupriya Girl with Flowers 1970 s

c 1970

$2,136.01
£1,550
€1,813.72
CA$2,923.29
A$3,183.19
CHF 1,684.08
MX$38,388.05
NOK 21,427.20
SEK 19,588.97
DKK 13,545.63

About the Item

Nalini Jayasuriya (1927-2014) Untitled - Girl with Flowers c 1970 Watercolour and mixed media on Paper Image Size: 35.5 x 24.5 cm Frame Size: 51.5 x 41 cm A compelling and gentle work Nalini Jayasuriya (1927–2014) was a preeminent Sri Lankan artist and educator whose work elegantly harmonised Eastern spirituality with Western artistic traditions. A self-taught visionary, Jayasuriya began her career as an English teacher at St. Thomas’ College before receiving a British Council grant to study in London. It was there she explored stained glass and enamel techniques, which later informed the luminosity and depth of her painting. Her artistic legacy is defined by a unique "Asian Christian consciousness". While she was a devoted Christian, her aesthetic was deeply informed by the Buddhist and Hindu traditions of her homeland. This pluralistic approach allowed her to re-imagine biblical themes through fluid brushstrokes, vibrant colours, and circular compositions that invited meditative contemplation. Her work, often featuring human silhouettes and spiritual stories, sought to impart "radiant peace" and serve as a vehicle for reconciliation. Beyond the canvas, Jayasuriya was a distinguished academic and multifaceted creative. She taught art and music history at prestigious institutions, including Yale and Tokyo University. Her global influence was cemented by exhibitions in major cities like New York, Paris, and Tokyo. In 2007, she was notably featured in the landmark exhibition "The Christian Story: Five Asian Artists Today". Awarded Sri Lanka’s highest honour for the Arts, Jayasuriya’s life was a "ceaseless becoming," much like the sea that she claimed flowed in her veins. Her work remains a cornerstone of Sri Lankan modernism, continuing to inspire dialogue on the intersection of faith, identity, and the universal human search for the numinous.
  • Creation Year:
    c 1970
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20.28 in (51.5 cm)Width: 16.15 in (41 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The paper has at some stage lost its edges (see images).
  • Gallery Location:
    Norfolk, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1670217423462

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