Hashan Cooray (b. 1987, Colombo) uses a multidisciplinary approach that combines drawing, painting, digital art, installation and mixed media collage to engage his subjects beyond conventional portraiture. The artist repurposes the artefacts of nationalism, capitalism and consumerism such as propaganda posters and commercial advertisements in a critical engagement of consumerism and populism. He presents multi-layered and textured portraits that interrogate the warped psyche of individuals influenced by the over-consumption of media. Characterised by an intense gestural quality that is both intrusive and enlightening, his work provides a salient portrayal of society warped by political and consumerist rhetoric. Cooray incorporates multilingual typography onto the surface of his compositions
Cooray has been featured in numerous group presentations at JDA Perera Gallery, Colombo (2014, 2015, 2018, 2017), Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo (2019) and the Sapumal Foundation, Colombo (2018). Cooray’s artwork is featured in notable private collections locally including the UJF Collection, Taru Villas and the private collection of Kumar Sangakkara and has been published in the Imago Mundi Book Project by the Benetton Foundation.