2023 Sep 11
Colombo has always boasted of a very distinctive art scene through its art museums and galleries. They are a captivating window to the past, present, and the diverse art created by our homegrown artists. If you are a secret aesthete looking for the best places to experience the local art scene, here’s a list for you!
1. Colombo National Museum
Largest museum in Sri Lanka, with galleries that are as old as 1877. They showcase all sorts of ancient art, carvings, and statues from Sri Lanka’s past, along with a collection of antique demon masks.
You can also find 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka on display.
Opening hours: Daily, 9 am to 4 pm
Entrance fee:
- Local child: LKR 60
- Local adult: LKR 120
- Foreign child: LKR 750
- Foreign adult: LKR 1,500
Address: 854, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 07
Tel: 0112 695 366
Facebook: @Colombo National Museum
2. National Art Gallery
As the first State-sponsored art gallery built in Sri Lanka, it has three 3 sections: the permanent exhibit hall, the East Hall and the West Hall.
The permanent exhibit section has the works of approximately 40 famed local artists, while two adjoining wings display temporary exhibitions by Sri Lankan artists.
Opening hours: Weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: 106, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 07
Tel: 0112 693 965
3. Sapumal Foundation
Founded by one of the greatest in Sri Lanka’s art scene, the gallery showcases a collection of work by the famed ‘43 Group.
It has an auxiliary gallery that displays the work of Varuni Hunt and a studio apartment which is rented out to visiting artists.
Children’s and adults’ art classes are also conducted at the art studio.
Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am to 1 pm
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: 32/4, Barnes Place, Colombo 07
Facebook: @SapumalFoundation
4. Number 11 – Geoffrey Bawa’s Residence
As the residence of the late Geoffrey Bawa, Number 11 is considered a special architectural marvel which also houses art and artefacts from Bawa’s collection.
The space holds a limited number of rooms for eager art and architecture enthusiasts to lodge responsibly.
Suggested tour duration: 45 minutes
Opening hours: Weekdays, 10 am to 6.30 pm
Entrance Fee:
- Local rate: LKR 1,000 per person
- Foreign rate: USD 10 per person
- Local student rate: LKR 500 (Must carry a valid student ID)
Address: 33rd Lane, Bagatelle Road, Colombo 03
Tel: 0114 337 335 (Call for inquiries on weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm)
Website: @geoffreybawa
Facebook: @GBhomenumber11
5. Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, including collections of art, architecture, design, craft, moving images and performance.
Other than exhibitions, they also host other interactive events, so keep an eye out!
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am to 6 pm (Closed on Poya days and public holidays)
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: Crescat Boulevard, Galle Main Road, Colombo 03
Tel: No general number to contact but reachable via social media
Website: www.mmca-srilanka.org
Facebook: @museum of modern and contemporary art
Instagram: @mmcasrilanka
6. Barefoot Gallery (The Colombo Gallery)
Founded in 1964, it showcases a diverse collection of local and international artworks, spanning various mediums and styles.
Used in a variety of ways; including exhibitions by local and foreign artists and photographers, concerts, and film nights.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: Prices vary according to each exhibition
Address: 706, Galle Road, Colombo 04
Tel: 0770 255 470
Website: barefootceylon.com
Facebook: @barefoot gallery
Instagram: @barefootgallery
7. Saskia Fernando Gallery
Since its establishment in 2009, Saskia Fernando Gallery has remained one of the leading galleries in the Sri Lankan art scene.
They showcase the work of emerging and established Sri Lankan artists while reigniting the love for contemporary art in the country through various projects.
Opening hours: Weekdays, 10 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: 41, Horton Place, Colombo 07
Tel: 0117 429 010
Website: www.saskiafernandogallery.com
Facebook: @SaskiaFernandoGallery
Instagram: @saskiafernandogallery
8. Lionel Wendt Art Centre
Built in memory of one of the pivotal figures in the Sri Lankan art scene, the Lionel Wendt Art Centre, truly celebrates all things art.
It houses The Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, The Harold Peiris Gallery and The Lionel Wendt Theatre, becoming the only multi-purpose cultural centre in Colombo.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm
Entrance fee: Prices vary according to each exhibition
Address: No. 18, Premasiri Khemadasa Mawatha, Colombo 07
Tel: 0112 695 794
Website: lionelwendt.org
Facebook: @Lionelwendt
9. JDA Perera Gallery
Named after one internationally renowned artist who pioneered the study of arts in Sri Lanka, the gallery is located at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.
This impressive gallery has been designed to conform to international gallery standards, with four floors of space, and is the first of its kind in the country.
Opening hours: Weekdays, 11 am to 8 pm
Entrance fee: Prices vary according to each exhibition
Address: No. 46, Horton Place, Colombo 07
Tel: 0112 693 933
10. Art Way Gallery
Displaying a collection of art by artists Sudath Abeysekara and Achala Gunawardene, it has always championed showing the diversity in the Sri Lankan art scene.
It also conducts workshops and classes at its in-house institute, training budding artists of all ages.
Opening hours: Daily, 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: No charge (But do call ahead of visiting)
Address: 543/G, Withanage Avenue, Hokandara Road, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Tel: 0766 303 0310
Website: artgallery.lk
Facebook: @ArtWayGalleryLK
11. Sky Gallery- Fareed Uduman Artforum
This art gallery was established as a final tribute from a son (Jomo) to a father (Fareed).
It was Jomo’s dream to create a space to display his father’s entire collection as a permanent exhibition for artists and art lovers.
Opening hours: Daily, 9 am to 5 pm
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: 65/9, Bernard Soysa Mawatha, Colombo 05
Tel: 0777 329 596
Facebook: @Fareed Uduman Artforum
Instagram: @fareedudumanartforum
12. Paradise Road Galleries
Paradise Road Galleries was founded in 1998 to curate exhibitions that complement the space and highlight the diversity of contemporary South Asian Art.
Sri Lankan artist Shirani Pereira’s first solo exhibition was held at Paradise Road Galleries.
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am to 12 midnight
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: 138, Galle Road, Colombo 03
Website: www.paradiseroad.lk
13. Curado Arts Space
This art gallery has planned some fun-filled events in the future and for more information, keep an eye on their social media platforms.
They also provide space for art workshops, book launches and poetry readings.
Opening hours: Weekdays, 10 am to 5 pm | Weekends, 10 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: No charge
Address: 302, Park Road, Colombo 05
Tel: 0777 344 927
Instagram: @Curadoartspace
