Throughout the history of Sri Lankan art, women have been depicted in various contexts, serving as a means of conveying the artist’s thought
process behind their creations to the audience. These depictions have evolved over time, reflecting the cultural and historical periods in which
they were created namely Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Colombo (Kotte) Eras.

During the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Eras, women were often portrayed with bare upper bodies, such as Celestial Maidens of Sigiriya
symbolising the youthful and divine beauty of local women. However, during the Kandy era, the portrayal of women underwent a significant
transformation. They were depicted wearing more covered costumes, such as long-sleeved “Borichchi” jackets and sarees. This change in the
depiction of women in art during the Kandy era can be attributed to the influence of colonialism, which brought about a shift in societal and
political attitudes towards women.

Despite the change in the mindset of artists when portraying women in paintings, women continued to be depicted elegantly and seductively in
poetry and other literary works during the Kandy era. This shift in societal and political ideology has served as the foundation for my own artistic endeavours.