An Auction for a Cause by the Jayantha Premachandra Foundation

The Jayantha Premachandra Foundation is an advocacy foundation launched by Nilanka Premachandra, the daughter of the late Sri Lankan artist Jayantha Premachandra. Founded by Nilanka in memory of her father, the main focus is to help revive his work and to also help raise awareness in support of many great causes.

A Brief Walk Back in Time 

Born in 1935, Jayantha Premachandra was one of Sri Lanka’s most noted artists in his day.

Before his untimely demise in 1988, artist J Premachandra was a well loved and respected member of the fine arts community all around the world.

Mr. Premachandra’s skills were noted from a very early stage. One of his first works of art, published in a 1955 issue of the Lankadeepa, likened his skills to that of Pablo Picasso. He went on to study art, first at University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo and then to the Moscow Arts and Industry Institute where he was awarded a special degree.

Starting with exhibitions in Sri Lanka as early as in 1958, Jayantha’s work has been admired by many in the Middle East, Europe, Scandinavia, the former Soviet Union, India and France.

His work was very much a reflection of his own life and his experiences. Early work would depict scenes of his childhood in Sri Lanka and his life in the former Soviet Union as well as other topics, such as those on global political and social events of his time. His work then took on a more liberal form as he would create paintings focusing on very romantic, emotional or spiritual topics. Finally, towards the latter stage of his life, Mr. Premachandra’s work would follow a more modern abstract style of painting. Mr. Premachandra’s work was not only on canvases, but on mosaic, cement, paper and even batik.

Having been recognized in France as a professional artist by the French Authorities, Mr. Premachandra settled down with his family in France and lived there till his death. Mr. Premachandra’s untimely demise, was caused by a stroke that led to a brain hemorrhage in April of 1988 while he was preparing for an exhibition organized by UNESCO in Paris.

The Jayantha Premachandra Foundation

Founded 33 years after his passing, the Jayantha Premachandra foundation is a charity foundation that works tirelessly to advocate for many important causes in Sri Lanka. While the foundation also works to revive the memory and the legacy of Mr. Premachandra, it also wishes to raise funds for several worthy causes and to support and provide recognition for many artists in Sri Lanka.

A cause that is very close and personal to Nilanka’s heart is her project to help patients recovering from strokes and related trauma at the Colombo General Hospital and to provide funding and support to the Neurological Services branch of the Colombo General Hospital.

This cause is one that is very close to her heart, as her mother too is currently recovering from stroke related trauma.

The event will showcase 12 to 14 paintings of Jayantha Premachandra and 2 of his paintings will be auctioned for charity. The funds raised at this event will all be directed towards supporting the Stroke Support Organization for Sri Lankans (SSOSL) and the Colombo General Hospital’s Neurological Services to upgrade the facilities of the Neurological ward.

The website of the Jayantha Premachandra Foundation will also be launched at this event.

Through this website, you will be able to follow Mr. Premachandra’s work and also be updated on any new events and charitable efforts of the foundation.

Furthering the Cause 

For art lovers out there who would like to see some of his work, the social media pages are as follows: Facebook at @ArtistJayanthaPremachandra or Instagram at @j.premachandra. All support is welcome, and you are encouraged to contact the foundation if you would like to support any of their causes.

Exhibition for a Cause 
Jayantha Premachandra Foundation has lined up an exhibition in collaboration with the French Embassy in Sri Lanka. This exclusive event is scheduled to be held at 1864 Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on February 28.