Gallery Silver Scapes will present Silent Stories, a solo exhibition by Sri Lankan artist Shanaka Kulathunga, from May 21 to 28, 2026, at the CCA Building, Bikaner House. Marking the artist’s first solo exhibition in India, the show brings together a body of work rooted in memory, lived experience, and cultural landscapes, offering Indian audiences an intimate glimpse into contemporary Sri Lankan life.
Curated by Archana Khare-Ghose, Silent Stories features acrylic and oil paintings that navigate the intersections of figuration and landscape. Kulathunga’s compositions draw from rural Sri Lanka, weaving together personal memory and everyday observations to create works that are both introspective and evocative. The exhibition also coincides with the launch of a publication dedicated to the artist’s practice.
Born in 1981, Kulathunga’s work reflects a sustained engagement with the nuances of human experience. His subjects like teachers, labourers, elders, children, and performers are rendered with a sensitivity that captures fleeting gestures and emotional depth. Balancing reality and imagination, his paintings explore themes of identity, intimacy, and social relationships through layered narratives and symbolic motifs.
Speaking about the exhibition, Kulathunga notes that his works are deeply tied to the environments and experiences that have shaped him. He describes the show as an opportunity to create a space where viewers can connect their own memories with the narratives embedded within his paintings.
Gallery Director Vikram Mayor sees the exhibition as part of a broader commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue. He highlights the significance of presenting Kulathunga’s work in India, noting its potential to deepen artistic exchange between India and Sri Lanka while introducing audiences to a distinct visual language shaped by observation and material sensitivity.
Curator Archana Khare-Ghose emphasizes the contemplative quality of the artist’s practice, describing it as one that transforms everyday moments into quietly powerful reflections. She notes that the exhibition opens up a dialogue between closely linked cultural contexts, underscoring shared histories and sensibilities.
Established in 2009, Gallery Silver Scapes has been an active platform for modern and contemporary art in India, showcasing both established and emerging artists. With Silent Stories, the gallery continues its engagement with diverse artistic voices across South Asia.
The exhibition will be open to the public daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Cover image: Shanaka Kulathunga | The Gilded Cage, 2026 | Oil on Canvas and Trinity of Being, 2026 | Oil on Canvas
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