Get to Know
About the Artist
An exploration into the life, work, and artistic journey of Bandu Manamperi
Biography
Bandu Manamperi
Bandu Manamperi is an artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries to explore themes of identity, conflict, and the complexities of human nature, making a significant mark on the global art scene. His multifaceted approach to art, which incorporates performances, drawings, and installations, challenges viewers to confront their perceptions and engage in a deeper dialogue with the subject matter.
Drawing from his own experiences and cultural heritage, Manamperi's pieces offer a poignant reflection on the societal and personal impacts of political turmoil. His work serves as both a mirror reflecting societal issues and a bridge connecting diverse audiences through the universal language of creativity and emotion.
As a founding member and Vice Chairman of Theertha International Artists' Collective in Sri Lanka, he has been pivotal in promoting contemporary art and fostering a community for artists to collaborate and express themselves freely. The collective has become an important platform for artistic expression and cultural dialogue in the region.
As an acclaimed figure in contemporary art, Bandu Manamperi continues to inspire and provoke thought, cementing his place as a visionary artist whose work resonates across cultures and generations. His commitment to exploring challenging themes while maintaining artistic integrity has earned him recognition both locally and internationally.
Artistic Practice
Performance Art
Manamperi's performance works engage directly with audiences, creating intimate and often challenging encounters that address themes of vulnerability, identity, and social critique.
Drawings & Installations
Through drawings and installations, he explores the intersection of personal narrative and collective memory, using minimalist aesthetics to convey complex emotional landscapes.
Mixed Media
His diverse use of materials reflects a commitment to experimentation, combining traditional techniques with contemporary approaches to create visually striking and conceptually rich works.
Background
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Certificate Course in Conservation of Cultural Property (murals & paintings)
MA in Archeology
Post Graduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Post Graduate Diploma in Archeology (Merit)
Post Graduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA (Sculpture)
University of Visual and Performance Art, Colombo (formally Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya), Sri Lanka
Exhibitions
Solo
Numbed
Red Dot Gallery, Pitakotte, Sri Lanka
Selected Group & Performance
"Reading The Biography" — performance with G.R. Constantine
Theertha Performance Evening, Colombo, Sri Lanka
"Developing Land" — performance
Theertha Performance Evening, Colombo, Sri Lanka
"Washing Man" — performance, Down Town Pulse 2016
Bakeriya Space, Colombo
"Washing Man" — performance, OPEN 6, curated by Nikhil Chopra
Open Studio Residency, The Heritage Hotel: Art Spaces, Goa, India
"Iron Man" — performance
India Art Fair, New Delhi, India
"Dead Fish" — performance
1st Theertha Performance Platform, Sri Lanka
"Me and My Image" — performance with Godwin Constantine, curated by Anna Wagner
'Transforming Bodies' Colombo Dance Platform 2014
Work Experience
Current
Founding Member
Theertha International Artists' Collective, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Supervisor, undergraduate students on thesis related to performance art and visual art in Sri Lanka
Lecturing in Museology, Diploma in Museology course
Postgraduate Institute of Archeology, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Chief Coordinator and member of curatorial panel — Theertha International Artists' Collective's Traveling Art Education Exhibition on the history of 20th Century Sri Lankan Art
Curated and compiled by Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Past
Research Administrator for Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe — Sethu Samuddram Community Art Project
Theertha International Artists Collective of Sri Lanka and 1ShanthiRoad artists' organization, Bangalore, India
Chief Coordinator, Chief Project Manager and Training Instructor — Let's Take a Walk Contemporary Art Project
Theertha International Artists' Collective, Sri Lanka
Resource person for Art Teacher Training Workshops — Theertha ArtLab
In collaboration with Zonal Education Offices in Dehiattakandiya, Kegalle, Aludeniya, Kandy, Samanthurai, Akkaraipattu, Kalmunei, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura
Chief project manager and teacher training instructor — Art as a Third Channel project
In collaboration with Zonal Education Offices in Matara, Balangoda, Kandy, Akurassa
Chief Coordinator — "Ape Gam Palatha" (In Our Village Area) project
Theertha International Artists' Collective, curated by Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Consultant on stone carving and sculptures
Star Granite, Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka
Teacher and trainer, one-week workshop — Theertha International Women Artists' Residency 2009
Participants from India, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Workshops & Residencies
Participant — The Tale of Two Cities 2015
One-year-long project for established artists of India and Sri Lanka, exploring Varanasi and Anuradhapura. Conceived by Renu Modi; sponsored by Espace Gallery, Theertha International Artists Collective and Serendipity Arts Trust
Theertha Performance Workshop
Theertha Performance Platform 2016
OPEN 6, Open Studio Residency
The Heritage Hotel: Art Spaces, Goa, India
Art Collaboratory Institutional Residency with Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe
Kunchi Cultural Studies Center, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Workshop in Art History: Buddhist Iconography — conducted by Dr. Nandana Chutiwongs
Postgraduate Institute of Archeology (PGIAR), University of Kelaniya, Colombo
Workshop in Art History: Sri Lanka and Burma in the wider Buddhist world — conducted by Dr. Donald Stadner
Former Associate Professor, University of Texas, Austin
3rd Beyond Pressure Festival of Performance Art
Myanmar
Invited Lectures
Lecture and presentation on Performance Art and Photo Performance
City School of Architecture (partnering with University of the West of England, Bristol, UK) — for 1st year students
Talk on "Golden Barrel Man – Performance artwork by Bandu Manamperi"
WAR & PEACE – Visual Narratives from contemporary Sri Lanka, Harold Pieris Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lecture on "The body as Language"
Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR), Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lecture on "Sri Lankan Performance Art"
German Culture Centre, Colombo — organized by Theertha International Artists' Collective, Pitakotte, Sri Lanka
Symposium on "Sri Lanka Performance Art"
3rd Beyond Pressure Festival of Performance Art, Myanmar — Kargqwell Co-YIN KABAR Gallery