Basil Cooray is a multi-award-winning Sri Lankan artist whose work has been shown around the world. His unusual landscapes and figurative pieces, which he creates in series, are primarily inspired by the beauty and genuineness of rural Sri Lanka. Watercolors and oils on canvas, paper, or cardboard are used frequently in Cooray’s contemporary pieces.

Basil mostly works with watercolours and oil paints, which he employs to reflect Sri Lanka’s rural life in new and exciting ways. He unravels the aesthetics of the many and lively ways of being with tiny brush strokes, attaining an extraordinary level of authenticity.

Cooray has previously worked with oil paints, but now prefers to work with watercolours. Painting with watercolours differs significantly from painting with oil paints in terms of technique. Drawing a rough drawing is the first stage. This is done in one of two ways by Cooray. “You can’t stop and think about what to paint,” Cooray explains. You must complete it before the paper dries.”

Basil had his training from artist Douglas Paul, whose work may be found in the Sri Lankan embassy in South Africa. His work can also be found at the Hatton National Bank, the President’s House, and a number of prestigious private collections in Sri Lanka and around the world. The colours and vibrancy of Sri Lanka as seen through Basil Cooray’s eyes is a rare treat.