COLLECTOR PROFILE | CHAMIKA DE ALWIS

 [left to right] Ivan Peries, Laki Senanayake, Mahen Perera, Ivan Peries

Chamika De Alwis is a leading Sri Lankan architect and Trustee of the Geoffrey Bawa and Lunuganga Trusts.His stunning tropical modernist home is filled with a collection that is a cross section of contemporary and modern Sri Lankan art.

While perfectly placed within a predominantly muted aesthetic, the works are connected by a distinctive thread of minimalism.The story of this collection is characterised by long friendships, a true appreciation of Sri Lanka’s burgeoning art scene and an inherent sensitivity to composition, texture, balance and form.

 [Left to right] African masks, Mahen Perera sculpture, Ola Leaf Manuscripts, Turtle Shell Box, Bronze Ganesh

[left to right] Channa Ekanayake, Calamander boxes, Bronze Krishna

Where do you live? 

I live in the suburbs of Colombo.

And what makes it a home to you?

The comfort of being amongst art and artifact that evokes personal memories, emotions and stories. 

What was the first work of art that you fell in with?

It would have been an Ivan Peiris painting.

I think most of the pieces that I generally fall in love are the simplest pieces. While the work of art itself could be quite complex it’s minimalist composition tends to be what engages me. 

[left to right] Bandu Manmamperi, Ivan Peries, Jagath Weerasinghe, Vydehi, Ivan Peries

What are some of the most sentimental or meaningful pieces in your collection?

Every single piece holds a memory of whom or where I bought them from.

Most of these pieces are purchased from artists whom I know personally and the purchase is the result of a conversations I have had with the artist and that makes the piece more meaningful.

Perhaps the first piece of art, gifted to me by Anjalendran, that began my journey into collecting, could be one of the most sentimental pieces I could identify. 

[left to right] Lionel Wendt, Justin Deraniyagala, Laki Senanayake

Laki Senanayake sculpture

Your collection has a very clear representation of specific modern and contemporary Sri Lankan artists. Is this a decision you make purposely or is it something that you just progressed organically?

Probably something that progressed organically.

I always look at something new and fresh with contemporary art. It is to do with the sophistication of the work in relation to the current environment. 

Artists Laki Senanayake and Jagath Weerasinhge’s work has tremendously influenced my collection. They are extremely talented, multi-faceted artist always being one step ahead and pushing boundaries from multi-disciplinary perspectives. 

[left to right] Kingsley Gunatillake, Jagath Weerasinghe, Lionel Wendt, Nirmalavasan, Lithograph

CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND ONE OFF YOUR SPECIAL WORKS?

A Kingsley Gunathilake painting that I commissioned recently for a certain space in my office was discussed extensively as a New Idea. 

 After it had been completed and hung on the wall my eye was drawn to a small sketch of Kingsley that was given to me as a gift 16 years ago that coincidentally sat next to the new artwork.