Basil Cooray
Born in Uswetakeiyawa, Sri Lanka
Education
Uswetakeiyawa Maha Vidyalaya and Gonzalez College in Pamunugama,
Basil is a self-made artist for the most part. In 1978, at the age of 18, he was placed first in the International
Poster Competition. He has not looked back since and is one of Sri Lanka's best known artists.
As a young man he received guidance from eminent artists such as Douglas Paul,
Dominic Cyril and Stanley Abeysinghe, and had his formal training at the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts.
His work has been exhibited at the National Art Gallery, the Lionel Wendt Gallery and at the Hermitage Gallery.
He has also submitted his work to group exhibitions,in particular "Young Contemporaries" (1997-1999),"Moods and Modes" (2001-2) and "Images of Peaceful Life" (2002).
He participated in the International Artist Camp 2002-2004 conducted by George Keyt Foundation.
Basil prefers watercolors and oil, which he uses to depict Sri Lanka's rural life in refreshing and innovative ways.With subtle brush strokes he unravels the aesthetics of the myriad and vibrant ways of being achieving an amazing degree of authenticity.
Basil's paintings adorn reputed institutions such as the President's House and Central Bank in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Embassy in South Africa as well as other commercial and diplomatic institutions and private homes, both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.