2026 Jun 12
Urban Pop – Colombo Reconstructed is a new exhibition by Sri Lankan multidisciplinary artist Charith Wijesundara, curated by Kasun Jayamanne. This is the 7th edition of the Artist Spotlight series presented by City of Dreams Sri Lanka, in partnership with John Keells Foundation.
The exhibition will be held within the vibrant setting of City of Dreams Sri Lanka and will be on display at Level 23 of City of Dreams from 6 June 2026 onwards. It is part of a broader effort to position Colombo as a growing hub for contemporary art and cultural dialogue. Visitors are invited to explore the exhibition and its interpretation of contemporary Colombo through works inspired by architecture, street culture, memory and the changing rhythms of urban life.
Wijesundara’s work offers a personal take on Sri Lankan identity. He is a self-taught artist and has a background in architecture. His art is inspired by the textures and contrasts of the city, where old and new buildings stand side by side; popular culture intersects with tradition and everyday urban experiences are shaped by memory and meaning.
“Colombo especially continues to inspire me because it constantly feels unfinished and evolving. New developments sit beside older structures, street culture overlaps with commercial imagery, and different generations experience the same spaces in completely different ways,” says Charith Wijesundara. “Rather than documenting the city directly, I’m more interested in capturing its atmosphere, energy and the feeling of living within it.”
Through layered imagery, familiar symbols, fragmented urban references and moments of humour and irony, Urban Pop – Colombo Reconstructed explores how culture continues to evolve within city life. The works use recognisable Sri Lankan visual elements and reinterpret them through a contemporary lens, creating pieces that feel both nostalgic and current.
“I’m naturally drawn to familiar Sri Lankan symbols, myths and everyday visual culture because they already exist within people’s memories and experiences,” he explains. “By reworking them through a more contemporary visual language, I’m exploring the relationship between tradition and the present moment.”
For art curator Kasun Jayamanne, the exhibition comes at an important moment as Colombo continues to change both physically and culturally.
“Charith’s work holds a compelling tension between architectural order and intuitive disruption. His compositions feel layered, fragmented and alive, reflecting the complexity of Colombo itself,” says Kasun Jayamanne. “Rather than depicting the city directly, he reconstructs it through multiplicity and overlap, allowing audiences to experience Colombo through emotion, memory and contradiction.”
“Through Artist Spotlight, we aim to create meaningful platforms for Sri Lankan artists while positioning City of Dreams Sri Lanka as a destination where art, culture and contemporary experiences come together,” said Kamal Munasinghe, General Manager at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams. “As Colombo continues to evolve, we believe supporting local creative voices is essential in shaping the city’s cultural identity and creating deeper connections between people, place and experience.”
“Through the Artist Spotlight at Cinnamon Life, John Keells Foundation advances its dual commitment to empowering Sri Lanka’s creative talent, while leveraging artistic expression to foster a healthy, progressive Sri Lanka,” said Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of CSR at John Keells Group. “By catalysing livelihoods in the creative sector and strengthening ecosystems for cultural expression, the programme uplifts local artists while promoting dialogue, breaking social barriers and enhancing Colombo’s identity as a destination city.”
Artist Spotlight continues to bring fresh perspectives to Colombo’s hospitality landscape, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors and cultural audiences to City of Dreams Sri Lanka. The initiative also helps strengthen connections between the city and its diverse communities, visitors and creative voices.
