ABOUT ARTIST

Jagath Weerasinghe (b.1954) is Emeritus Professor at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and a prominent figure in both archaeology and contemporary art. He has held senior positions in the Central Cultural Fund, such as Director/ Consultant Expert for Mural Painting Conservation (2010 to date) and Consultant Director of Archaeology for the Sigiriya and Dambulla World Heritage sites (2014-22). He was Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (2010 17). As founding Chairman of the Theertha International Artists Collective, he has shaped the direction of Sri Lankan contemporary art, often engaging with themes of social injustice and global politics. Weerasinghe’s artistic practice, spans over 40 years with numerous exhibitions, and art projects in Sri Lanka and abroad. He has been featured in key shows like Fukuoka Asian Art Show, 1994; Asia Pacific Triennale, 1999; Arts South Asia Show, Liverpool University Gallery, Liverpool, 2002; Singapore Art Biennale, 2006; the Dhaka Art Summit 2018 and exhibitions at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 2019 and 2024. His art often interrogates political narratives and employs unconventional materials and abstract forms. Weerasinghe has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and fellowships for his contributions. These include the Rockefeller Foundation Residency Award at the Bellagio Center in 2016; fellowships at the Institute of Archaeology, University of London in 2001; ICCROM (International Conservation Center, Rome) in 2008; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies, South Africa in 2010; Visiting Artist at Davidson College in 2019; Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley in 2009, and University of Texas at Austin in 2022 alongside other international accolades. His published works and lectures address significant issues in heritage conservation, art history, and cultural policy development, making him a prominent figure in both the national and international art and heritage landscape.