Charith Wijesundara

ARTIST BIO

Charith Wijesundara is a Sri Lankan born artist with a multidisciplinary approach, combining his self-taught art style with his architectural background. He earned his bachelor's degree in Architecture in 2015 and was elected a Chartered Architect in 2020. Charith draws inspiration from traditional, Sri Lankan cultural elements and adds a hint of novelty by combining those original ideas with pop culture styles. His popular approach is a western portrayal of the other dimension of yakkas, devas and their super powers through pop art which is admired by many as a ground breaker in modern Sri Lankan art. He also attempts to discuss pop culture topics and events in his artwork while occasionally adding humor in his works. Charith has contributed to numerous regional and global initiatives and has displayed his artwork in Sri Lanka as well as in several international platforms, particularly in England and Israel. His most recent collaborators and commissioners include Coca Cola-SL, Colombo street-Nottingham, MVRDV Architects, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, W15 Hanthana Estate ,Crystal Sands , Sri Lankan Luxury Jewelry Brand Papillon du thé & PR Concept Store.

CONCEPT

Bad Boys
In Sri Lanka, there is a deep connection to mysticism and folklore. This has blurred the boundaries between the supernatural and the natural. Sri Lankans have a long-standing tradition of worshiping gods and holding beliefs in demons, ghosts, and evil spirits. Their cultural heritage includes classical dance, theater, and dance-drama, featuring masked dancers who tell stories from mythology and legends. In this artwork, the artist aimed to present a modern interpretation of the mythical creature known as the "yakka." They aimed to reimagine the "yakka" in a contemporary context, highlighting its bold and powerful nature. By combining traditional Sri Lankan mythical creatures with elements of popular culture, the artist offers a fresh perspective on these local legends.