Sanjaya Gunarathna is a Sri Lankan contemporary painter and visual storyteller whose work bridges traditional techniques with modern and abstract expression. Exploring the deep connections between nature, humanity, and contemporary life, his multidisciplinary creative practice spans fine art painting, 2D animation, and cultural storytelling.
With a multidisciplinary background in fine art, illustration, animation, and visual communication, Sanjaya has established an artistic practice that brings together traditional craftsmanship and contemporary expression. His original paintings have reached audiences and collectors in Sri Lanka and internationally.
Born on 18 January 1980 in Panadura, Sri Lanka, Sanjaya Gunarathna grew up in a family deeply connected to the arts. His father, Priya Ranjan Gunarathna, was a music teacher, while his mother, Weerawaradhana Manel Silva, was a dance teacher.
His grandfather, Weerawaradhana Saldin Silva, a local artist, played an influential role in nurturing his early interest in drawing and painting.
As the eldest of three children, Sanjaya was raised alongside his brother, Narendra Gunarathna, a musician, and his sister, Dhananji Gunarathna, an art teacher. This creative family environment laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to visual art.
Sanjaya attended Thurstan College and Nalanda College in Colombo before completing a three-year Traditional Art Work programme (1997-2000) conducted by Sri Lanka's Cultural Department under the guidance of renowned artist S. P. Charles.
Graduating with a First Division Certificate, he received training in life drawing, landscape painting, sculpture, and traditional art conservation and restoration.
His artistic development was further influenced by internationally recognized masters including Pablo Picasso, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, whose approaches to artistic expression helped shape his creative perspective.
Sanjaya began his professional career in commercial art and illustration, gaining early experience at an advertising agency led by Sri Lankan artist Anura Srinath. His creative interests later expanded into digital media, graphic design, animation, and television production.
In 2011, he joined the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as a 2D animation and graphic artist. His contributions to Sri Lankan television animation have earned him three State Television Arts Awards for Best Animation.
Alongside his professional career in visual media, Sanjaya has continued to develop his work as a contemporary painter, participating in art exhibitions and engaging with Sri Lanka's contemporary art community.
His paintings extend beyond galleries and exhibitions, with original artworks displayed in hotels and held in private art collections across Sri Lanka and overseas. Their presence in these settings reflects the appreciation of his artistic expression among local and international art collectors.
Sanjaya's artistic style draws upon Expressionism, Modern Art, and Abstract Art, combining expressive colors, symbolic forms, and contemporary painting techniques.
Inspired by nature, human experiences, cultural influences, and the changing world, his paintings explore environmental concerns, urbanization, human emotions, and the relationship between society and the natural environment.
Working with oil and acrylic paints, he creates original contemporary artworks that invite individual interpretation and encourage reflection on modern life.
For Sanjaya, painting is more than a form of visual expression. It is a creative medium through which he explores ideas, communicates emotions, and reflects on humanity's connection with the world.
From his early artistic education to his development as a Sri Lankan contemporary painter, Sanjaya Gunarathna's journey reflects a lifelong commitment to creativity and artistic exploration.
Through his paintings, exhibitions, and multidisciplinary creative work, he continues to share his artistic vision with audiences and art enthusiasts in Sri Lanka and beyond.
His evolving body of work brings together traditional artistic foundations and modern expression, contributing to the rich and diverse landscape of contemporary Sri Lankan art.
