Born in 1994, Peshala Premathilaka, at age 29, has accomplished impressive heights in her artwork. Even before graduating from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, in 2019, Peshala had already earned international recognition. In 2015 she was a part of the ‘Imongo Mumbai International Art Exhibition’ in San Giorgio, Venice, Italy. After which, in 2018, she participated in ‘Work Display’ which was held at the Sojo University, Japan. Speaking to ARTRA, Peshala stated that her paintings represent the simplicity and beauty she observes in the surrounding flora and fauna. Nature flows through her spiritual, and creative growth. Her emotional connection to the environment eagerly transforms onto her canvas. The refined petals Peshala creates with her brush strokes perform as a deeply personal expression for the painter. These petals serve as a mode of communication and brings out the vital that lives within her. 

One can witness a common humanity expressed with happiness, softness and warmth in her art. Nevertheless, sometimes the dialogue is expressionless or is of something very dark that one can barely recognize within all of that beauty. As one gazes at this artists work, one senses delicacy, one finds treasures within, which assert themselves through quietness and pale colors, through white petals and black brush strokes. 

A feeling of calmness and yet awareness that there is a presence of something which allows the spectator to assert themselves, to know themselves deeper. The observer feels comfortable just walking straight up to the painting and expressing one’s love for the beauty. Peshala says that her father, a teacher of art, crafts, poetry and more was her very first inspiration. She insinuates that his influence on her was a great one and that because of him, the artist commenced at a very early age to understand colors and became bound up in discovering more and more about the subject of art. 

This young woman is very refreshing to speak to. While conversing with ARTRA in 2019 as ARTRA’s Emerging Artists, Peshala stated, “In my opinion an artwork is the external evidence of an artist’s inner self. They always try to negotiate their emotions and perspectives on the canvas honestly”. This artist’s awareness is clear even in her most abstract art. 

Peshala uses acrylic, pen, pencil and other items on canvas or board to create her ‘mixed medium’ art. She does not utilize oil colors, however, since oils take an extensive time to set. The beauty of Peshala’s art is that one cannot really say whether she has applied acrylic or oils, so specific are her brushstrokes. One can hardly see whether she has used watercolor or inks to create her vibrant colors. Peshala brilliantly mixes in her collages so that it is very surprising to learn that sometimes one is looking at a collage and not at a mixed media piece. Texture is an important component of her work and so this young artist prefers board to using canvas. She loves the texture of board, she explained.

When ARTRA questioned Peshala as to which artist inspires her the most, her immediate response is Jessica Zoob, a British artist who, like Peshala, is an abstract artist who uses the soft and gentle colors and serene mood of Japanese art. Peshala states that her love for the Japanese style of art is the strong feelings expressed with limited brushstrokes. She also enjoys the deep undercurrent of feelings that a few lines of a Haiku poem give. With simple and gentle twists and turns, Japanese art brings out the deep with the simple. This duality has become highly inspirational for Peshala.

Like most perfectionists, Peshala prefers the sounds of her surroundings rather than music or songs to bring her into a mood for painting. She finds unnatural noise or voices disturbing. She prefers the melody of birds or rain or the wind, anything natural. Peshala expresses that her painting has very little to do with thinking. Her paintings are done when the young artist feels happy rather than when she feels real sadness or depression. This allows her bring out the vivid colors and the calm joy found in the innermost sections of her spiritual being out in an honest and healthy manner.

Yet another unique aspect of her paintings are the Japanese style writings one comes across when studying her art. When Peshala spoke to ARTRA, she revealed a secret. Apparently, Peshala has no concept of Japanese writing, rather she writes in English. The letters are only styled to look like Japanese. Peshala does this so well, that it is extremely difficult to see any English words written at all.

Peshala Premathilaka will not be Peshala’s name for very much longer, she is currently engaged to be married. The artist also has many other ambitions for her future including completing her master’s degree. Peshala wishes to become a part of the fashion industry and through the mingling’s with that industry Peshala hopes to have a solo exhibition. Her hopes are to become an international artist and fashion designer. This young artist, believes that painting creates a soul connection between the artist and the viewer of the art. Painting becomes a corridor towards fostering the spirit of humanity and takes her to a realm of peace and quiet imagination. 

Peshala Premathilaka can be called an impressionist painter or she can an abstract painter with a vivid imagination. Peshala is without a doubt one that believes in originality of thinking and expression of the soul. Her artistic talent has been acknowledged as far back as 2015 and as recently as 2023 at the ‘Art fair’ in Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. In 2022 she displayed her art in New Delhi, India. In 2021, Peshala was a part of the ‘Rang Malhar’ which was an International Online Art Event. Also, in 2021 she was again part of an online Art event called ‘Dare to Dream’ which was held in South Korea. Her first solo art exhibition ‘The travelling Petal’ also took place in 2021. Through the internet, Peshala was able to participate ‘Reflection of Feminine on Art’ which was held at the Classic Gallery in Nepal in 2021. In 2019, the artist participated in the ‘Art fair’ held in Colombo 07, Sri Lanka and in 2015, Peshala was a part of ‘Imongo Mumbai International Art Exhibition’ held in San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, Italy. These are only some of exhibitions that Peshala has been a part of between 2015 and 2023. Her distinctive works will surely be more original and individualistic in times to come.

Written by Namalee Siriwardhane