National Art Gallery, Sri Lanka Explained

National Art Gallery
Native Name:ජාතික කලාභවන
Former Names:Ceylon Art Gallery
Image Alt:National Art Gallery, Sri Lanka
Pushpin Map:Sri Lanka Colombo Greater
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in greater Colombo
Address:106 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7
Location:Colombo, Sri Lanka
Type:Art Gallery
Genre:Art
Opened:March 1932
Owner:Department of Cultural Affairs
Architect:A. C. G. S. Amarasekara

The National Art Gallery in Colombo, Sri Lanka was the first state-sponsored art gallery built in the country.[1]

The gallery is located in Cinnamon Gardens near the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, the National Museum of Colombo, the Town Hall, Colombo and Colombo Public Library.[2] [3]

The building consists of a three wing gallery space: the main gallery has a permanent collection of portraits and landscapes and the two adjoining wings display temporary exhibitions by Sri Lankan artists. The eastern hall is approximately NaNorder=flipNaNorder=flip and the western hall is approximately about NaNorder=flipNaNorder=flip. Both galleries have a 18order=flipNaNorder=flip ceiling height.

In 1911 the need for a national art gallery was first identified by the Ceylon Society of Arts and the Arts Council of Ceylon however its construction was delayed until after World War 1. The central gallery was completed and opened in March 1932.[4] The building was designed by Gate Mudliyar A. C. G. S. Amarasekara. In 1952 the gallery was placed under the control of the Department of Cultural Affairs.[5] In June 2013, the gallery's collection was reported to be in a very poor state of repair.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Museums of the World. 1. Schulze, Marco. K.G. Saur. 2007. 667. 9783598206948.
  2. News: The National Art Gallery . Yamu.lk.
  3. Web site: National Art Gallery (Colombo) - All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos) - TripAdvisor . TripAdvisor.
  4. Book: Ferguson's Ceylon Directory. 1959. 54.
  5. Web site: Illankoon . Duvindi . Step into a national shame . 30 June 2013. 17 August 2020.