ORIGINAL ART BY SENAKA SENANAYAKE: PAINTINGS FOR SALE

Please hover or click on images to view artwork details.

Please hover or click on images to view artwork details.

Senaka Senanayake is one of the most sought-after contemporary artists from Asia. Born in Sri Lanka, his extraordinary artistic ability was evident even as a young child, and he held his first international exhibition in San Diego at the age of 10. He later enhanced his education in art and architecture at Yale University in Connecticut and, more recently, he has become particularly known for his lively scenes of rainforests that instill a sense of wonderment and awe. In a saturated color palette and in his signature flat, delineated style, Senaka’s paintings echo the “spectacular and irreplaceable” beauty of the natural world.

“My focus is on the endangered flora and fauna in our rainforests,” he explains his passion for landscapes. “In 2005, I visited a rainforest in Sri Lanka, which has become my muse.” Since that fateful excursion, in response to the urgent need for environmental conservation around the globe, art by Senaka Senanayake has sought to capture the splendor of tropical jungles across Asia, Africa and South America. By spotlighting their unique inhabitants, from parrots and toucans to elephants and water buffalo, the artist encourages his viewers to protect wildlife and preserve these vital ecosystems. He has noted, “I could have shown the negative aspects of destruction, such as people and animals dying, but I try to do happy, positive paintings.”

Senaka has been the subject of more than 150 solo exhibitions in over 18 countries including the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, Korea and Egypt to name a few. He has also been commissioned by the White House in Washington, DC and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Numerous acclaimed magazines and journals have reviewed his exhibitions and profiled his career, including The New York Sunday Times, Washington Post and National Geographic Magazine.

You are welcome to buy artist Senaka Senanayake’s paintings online or view them at our gallery in Palo Alto (San Francisco Bay Area). All artworks are hand signed by the artist and include a certificate of authenticity.

Senaka Senanayake welcomes requests for commissioned paintings. If you like a painting that has sold, or if you have a particular space in mind, a custom painting can be made to your taste and specifications regarding size, color palette and other details.

Interview with Senaka on his various themes.

When was contemporary artist Senaka Senanayake born?

Senaka Senanayake was born on March 20, 1951. It is a Sri Lankan tradition to cast horoscopes for newborns, and the astrologer fittingly predicted great success in his future.

When did Senaka begin painting?

At the age of 5, Senaka entered Royal College, a prestigious government school for boys. One of his teachers, Mrs. Gertrude Sugathapala, encouraged her students to express themselves creatively through daily writing and drawing. She also hung large sheets of paper on the classroom walls and encouraged the children to draw murals together, which nurtured Senaka’s love for painting. To this day, he has a special talent for large-scale canvases.

Who had a strong influence on Senaka in his early years?

The journalist and art critic Mr. L.P. Goonetilleke became an early champion of Senaka Senanayake as a child prodigy. “Uncle LP,” as Senaka called him, was the Honorary Secretary of the prestigious Ceylon Society of Arts and helped to organize his first exhibition. He remained Senaka’s friend, critic and professional mentor until he passed away in 1976.

When did Senaka start exhibiting his work as a child prodigy?

At age 7, Senaka had his first solo exhibition at the prestigious Ceylon Society of Arts (known as the National Art Gallery of Sri Lanka today). He had his first international exhibition in 1961 in the United States, at galleries in New York and San Diego, and he continued exhibiting around the world throughout his teens. By age 17, he had been the subject of 60 solo exhibitions!

Were Senaka’s early exhibitions a sign of his future success?

Absolutely. At the age of 12, Senaka became the youngest tax payer in Sri Lanka!

What are the investment potentials of acquiring Senaka Senanayake’s artworks?

While there are many factors that influence the appreciation of an artwork, including theme and condition, art by Senaka Senanayake has typically appreciated very well over the years. His paintings feature often in international auctions, and his work is held in prominent private and institutional collections.

What are some of the prominent paintings by Senaka Senanayake?

The painting Rice Cultivators of Ceylon by Senaka Senanayake hangs at the United Nations’ General Assembly Hall in New York, where the full UN membership meets each year. The scene depicts agricultural workers in a rice field in Sri Lanka, against a background of village homes and barns. It was gifted by the Sri Lankan government to the United Nations. Another painting by Senaka, The Outer Harbour Colombo, was also commissioned for the White House in Washington, DC.
To learn more about his remarkable life story, read our blog about unknown facts about artist Senaka Senanayake.

Are the artworks signed?

Yes, all paintings and prints are hand signed by the artist and come with a certificate of authenticity.

What is a serigraph?

Serigraphs are a type of high quality, limited edition screen print made on high quality paper in collaboration with the artist. Each print is numbered and signed by the artist. To learn more, read our blog on collecting serigraphs.

What is the serigraphic printing process?

Producing serigraphs is a meticulous, completely manual process. Using the original artwork as the master guide, a different stencil is created for each color that will compose the image. Then, the ink is pushed through the corresponding stencil onto the paper and then laid flat on a drying rack. This step is repeated multiple times, using a separate stencil for each color. A single serigraphic print can have as many as 25 colors or more.

What makes a print more valuable?

The value of a serigraph is determined by the artist’s notability, the edition size and the presence of a signature. A serigraph’s most important feature is the artist’s signature, which confirms its authenticity as a genuine artwork.

Are fine art prints a good investment?

Yes, the value of a serigraph can keep increasing with time, depending on the artist’s historical importance and the specific serigraph.

Is shipping available worldwide?

Yes, we offer both domestic and international shipping, and all fees are calculated upon purchase and included on your invoice. We frequently ship throughout the US as well as to Europe, Africa and Asia.

How are the artworks shipped?

All works including paintings, prints and sculptures are professionally packed. Smaller paintings can be shipped flat, and larger paintings can be unstretched and rolled in a tube. Prints are shipped rolled in a tube. Each shipment is covered by transit insurance.

Are exchanges accepted?

We are unable to offer returns or exchanges for paintings by Senaka Senanayake.

Are the artworks framed?

No, neither the paintings nor serigraphs are sold framed. We are happy to provide assistance with framing upon request. Please note works on paper must always be framed to properly protect them from warping and discoloration. You can read more advice about framing paintings and framing fine art prints on our blog.

How should the artwork be taken care of?

As a resource for clients, we have written a guide on the best art care tips for canvases and works on paper.