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Having gained his initial art education from the Institute of Aesthetic Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Bandu Manamperi is now a celebrated contemporary artist in Sri Lanka. He is a core member of the Theertha Artists’ Collective, an organization and platform that is designed to support and create awareness about the Sri Lankan art industry. Manamperi has exhibited his works in many group and solo exhibitions since 1999, with international recognition from the UK, USA, Sweden, India, Bangladesh and Austria. He is currently based in Bandaragama, Sri Lanka.
Political and larger themes depicted in his work are memory, history, identity as well as the processes of commercialization and consumerism as recent issues inciting conversation globally and locally. His first solo exhibition Numbed was held in 2009, and received acclaim for the works’ play on the motifs of the body and skin in an ideologically complex world. Prasanna Ranabahu referred to the exhibition as a collection in which Manamperi used “his body as well as textured surfaces and works toward a singular objective” of spreading awareness that “social phenomena have succumbed to the common denominator, the total state sponsored ideological discourse.”
Manamperi is experienced in a range of artistry not limited to visual art including sculpture, drawing, painting and installation art. He is also one of the first artists in Sri Lanka to experiment with performance art as a mode of artistic expression. One of his earliest works, “The Maze” done in collaboration with fellow artist G.R. Constantine, reflected on the civil war, and the manner in which a majority of Sri Lankans were desensitized towards the atrocities happening in the north, which they were merely watching from far away in their ‘safe pavilions’. Sasanka Perera claimed that, ““The Maze” actively combined a very visible installation and a staged performance by the two artists. It was exhibited at a time when the issues it beacons us to ponder over have become central issues in our society while the kind of amnesia that it attempts to critique are also clearly at work.”
In recent years, with the Theertha Performance Platform,Manamperi has developed several performance art work that express his politics about instances of consumerism and capitalism which happen in the day-to-day, unnoticed by the average person complicit in the rat race psyche. In 2017, for the exhibition Portraits of Intervention held at the Aicon Gallery in New York, Manamperi presented a performance titled “Highly Explosive” documented in video form. The performance is noted for his clever use of his own body as a medium of expression as he walks around Colombo covered in Chinese firecrackers, engaging with the vulnerability of human existence when confronted with intense forces of violence. His performance “Dead Fish” (2016), which was included in the Theertha Performance Platform was controversial due to his approach towards death, with Manamperi walking along the streets with a dead fish, demonstrating the manner in which persons are often dead while being alive, subject to violence and torture. Referring to the performance, he said that it “shows humanity, certification, and death, all in one. It is the dead fish, that dies. It is the dead fish, that is tortured. First you embrace it with love and then you destroy.” For several years now, Manamperi has been experimenting with his signature piece “The Barrel Man”, which consists of a man holding an empty barrel, conveying different themes about surrounding human existence. At the re-opening of the Jaffna Library in 2004 he performed a version of the piece, walking into the library covered in bloody bandages carrying an empty barrel on his shoulders, signifying the futility of the civil war and the physical and emotional toll it had taken on the Sri Lankan community. In 2017, for the Portraits of Intervention exhibition he performed the version “Golden Barrel Man” – painting himself in the same color of gold as the barrels used by the Sri Lankan army to barricade government property and demarcate territories in Colombo and Jaffna from being approached and attacked during the civil war.
Manamperi’s work can be described as experimental creations that attempt to visually portray external social, cultural and political events that affect human existence. He is also known for evoking the political through the personal with work that focus on his own experience of the transformation of his body.
| Name of Exhibition | Year | Place |
|---|---|---|
| "The Smell": The 4th edition of Theertha Performance Platform 2022 | 2022 | Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Sri Lanka. |
| "The Black History": Internation Print Exhibition | 2022 | Hosted by Printmaking Gallery |
| Iran-India 2020, “Performance Art Project; Asia”, Rah art residence | 2020 | In partnership with hexxy duxxy box, Via Zoom App. |
| ‘A Theertha interim show.’ | 2020 | Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Borella, Colombo, Sri Lanka. |
| ‘OBLAK Performances, Objects & Vulnerability | 2020 | Online (Via Zoom App) Performed at Borella Junction. |
| ‘Texting Being’, Theertha performance platform-2019 | 2019 | Theertha, Borella, Sri Lanka. |
| ‘A cross section’, group art exhibition of Sri Lankan artists | 2019 | Jaleh Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2019 |
| Contemporary Sri Lankan Art: A Cross-Section | 2018 | The Iranian Cultural Centre, Colombo |
| ART CONNECT, Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) 2017 | 2017 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 'Portraits of Intervention: Contemporary Art from Sri Lanka' | 2017 | Aicon Gallery, New York |
| "Life and Time-The Changing Landscape" | 2017 | Chander Haat at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India |
| Theertha Performance Platform | 2017 | Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Borella, Colombo, Sri Lanka. |
| "Washing Man" Performance | 2016 | OPEN 6, Open Studio Residency, The Heritage Hotel: Art Spaces, Goa, India |
| "Iron Man" Performance | 2016 | India Art Fair, New Delhi, India |
| "Dead Fish" Performance | 2015 | 1st Theertha Performance Platform, Sri Lanka |
| 'Me and My Image' Performance with Godwin Constantine, Curated by Anna Wagner | 2014 | ' Transforming Bodies' Colombo Dance Platform 2014 |
| Serendipity Revealed: an exhibition of contemporary Sri Lankan art | 2014 | Brunei Gallery, SOAS , London, United Kingdom |
| 'Beware Wet Ink' Digital Art Exhibition | 2014 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Dhaka Art Summit | 2014 | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Making History' Colombo Art Biennale | 2014 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| “Golden Barrel Man” (2nd performance), WAR & PEACE – Visual Narratives from contemporary Sri Lanka | 2013 | Harold Pieris Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Becoming, 2nd Colombo Art Bienalle | 2012 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| “Crushing Eggs” Performance and participation at Live Art 2011 | 2011 | Bangaluru Artists Residency, Bangaluru, India |
| Sethu Residency 2 Shanthi Road @ Theertha 2011 | 2011 | Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Colombo Sri Lanka |
| Beyond Pressure performance art festival | 2011 | Myanmar |
| (De)-inscribed Memories: Pradeep Chandrasiri and Bandu Manamperi | 2011 | Hempel Galleries, Colombo Sri Lanka |
| Theertha @ 1 Shanthi Road | 2011 | Bangalore, India |
| Sethu Residency 1 Shanthi Road @ Theertha 2010 | 2010 | Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Imagining Pease, Ist Colombo Art Bienalle | 2009 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Numbed | 2009 | Red Dot Gallery, Pitakotte, Sri Lanka |
| Theertha- Works on Paper | 2009 | National Art Gallery, Maldive |
| “PostcART” | 2008 | Sudu Gallery, Galle, Sri Lanka |
| International Artists Residency Exhibition | 2008 | Red Dot Gallery, Pitakotte, Sri Lanka |
| Artful Resistance | 2008 | Museum of Anthropology, Vienna, Austria |
| “Buy 1 Get 1 Free”, HAT2 Program | 2007 | Plymouth College of Art and Design Gallery, UK |
| “The Maze”, Collaborative Art Project | 2006 | Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| “Contemporary Sri Lankan Art” | 2005 | Museum of far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, Sweden |
| “Urban and the Individual” | 2004 | Fenominal Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| "Aham Puram" by Theerha International Artists’ Collective | 2004 | Public Library, Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
| “Exhibition of paintings and sculpture” | 2004 | Gallery 71, Galle fort, Galle, Sri Lanka |
| “2nd Theertha Intentional Artists workshop” Exhibition | 2003 | Lunuganga Gardens, Baruwala,Sri Lanka |
| “Chartered Theft” | 2003 | VAFA Gallery, Ethul Kotte, Sri Lanka |
| “Crafty Thoughts” | 2002 | University of Liverpool, Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK |
| 1st Theertha International Artists ‘Workshop’ | 2001 | Gallery 706, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 4th Art Link International Artists ‘Workshop’ | 2000 | Gallery 706, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| “An Art Exhibition for peace and Reconciliation” | 2000 | Gallery 706, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| “Made in IAS” | 2000 | Gallery 706, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| “Artist for Peace” - Flag Exhibition | 2000 | Selected Public Places, Sri Lanka |
| “New Directions” | 1998 | Mount Castle, Gallery Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Other Publicaitons the Artist has been mentioned in |
Ref :BM 5
Title :A statement about me
Signed :Lower Middle
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 23
Ref :BM 13
Title :A statement about himself
Signed :Middle
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :30.25 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :30.25 x 23
Ref :BM 14
Title :A statement about her
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 23
Ref :BM 15
Title :A statement about himself
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29. 5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29. 5 x 23
Ref :BM 23
Title :Disobedient Hair
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 22.75
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 22.75
Ref :BM 28
Title :His own face
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :21 x 30
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :21 x 30
Ref :BM 41
Title :About him self
Signed :Lower Bottom
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :15 x 21.5
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :15 x 21.5
Ref :BM 51
Title :Portrait
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2013
Measurements in Cms :23 x 29
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :23 x 29
Ref :BM 66
Title :Portrait
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29 x 23
Ref :BM 71
Title :Portrait
Signed :Middle Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29 x 23
Ref :BM 76
Title :I love to fly
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :23 x 29.5
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :23 x 29.5
Ref :BM 80
Title :About my self
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 23
Ref :BM 81
Title :About my self
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 23
Ref :BM 88
Title :Feathers
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :23 x 29.5
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :23 x 29.5
Ref :BM 90
Title :That’s about me
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 23
Ref :BM 93
Title :Disobedient Hair
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29.25 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.25 x 23
Ref :BM 104
Title :Portrait
Signed :Upper Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :23 x 29.5
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :23 x 29.5
Ref :BM 107
Title :Portrait
Signed :Middle Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :43 x 27
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :43 x 27
Ref :BM 109
Title :Portrait
Signed :Middle Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :43 x 37
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :43 x 37
Ref :BM 110
Title :Portrait
Signed :Lower Left
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :42 x 29.5
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :42 x 29.5
Ref :BM 111
Title :Portrait
Signed :Reverse - Front Upper Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :42.5 x 37
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :42.5 x 37
Ref :BM 117
Title :Portrait
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29 x 23
Ref :BM 118
Title :Portrait
Signed :Middle Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29 x 23
Ref :BM 119
Title :When it fell from the sky to the ground
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2009
Measurements in Cms :29 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29 x 23
Ref :BM 122
Title :A Statement about her
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :30 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :30 x 23
Ref :BM 123
Title :A Statement about her
Signed :Lower Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :30 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :30 x 23
Ref :BM 124
Title :A Statement about her
Signed :Upper Left
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :30 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :30 x 23
Ref :BM 125
Title :A statement about himself
Signed :Lower Middle Right
Year :2014
Measurements in Cms :29.5 x 23
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :29.5 x 23
Ref :BM 136
Title :This is not a photo
Signed :Reverse
Year :2015
Measurements in Cms :43.25 x 28
Material Used :Acrylic on Paper
Dimensions in Cms. :43.25 x 28
| Year | Institute | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | - | Certificate Course in Conservation of Cultural Property (murals & paintings) |
| 2004 | Post Graduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya. Sri Lanka. | M. A. in Archeology |
| 2002 | Post Graduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya. Sri Lanka | Post Graduate Diploma in Archeology (Merit) |
| 2000 | Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. | Bachelor of Fine Arts. BFA (Sculpture) |