“Colombo-Male' 2026” art exhibition opens at National Art Gallery

The “Colombo - Male' 2026: Exhibition of Contemporary Paintings”, showcasing the long-standing friendship and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, officially opened at the National Art Gallery on Thursday evening.

The exhibition was initiated by Maldivian artist Hussain Ali Manik (Husen) in collaboration with Sri Lankan curator Dr Chaminda Gamage.

The event is organised in partnership with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the Maldives.

Running until September 17, the exhibition features works by eight artists; four from Sri Lanka and four from the Maldives.

Maldivian participants include National Award-winning artists Afzal Shaafiu (Afu), Ahaamed Azmee (Baachy), Ahamed Anil, and Hussain Ali Manik (Husen).

Sri Lanka is represented by Sarath Gunasiri Perera, T. P. G. Amarajeewa, K. D. Lakshman, and Dr Chaminda Gamage.

The organisers noted that the main objective of the exhibition is to facilitate cultural exchange between artists of both countries and further strengthen ties between the two Indian Ocean neighbours through art.

They said the exhibition provides an opportunity for each artist to freely express their own vision and talent, rather than working within a fixed thematic framework.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rizvi Hassan said initiatives of this nature play an important role in strengthening relations between the people of both countries.

The “Colombo - Male' 2026” exhibition is not only a showcase of paintings, but also the beginning of future workshops and collaborative artistic programmes planned between Maldivian and Sri Lankan artists. The exhibition is now open to the public at the National Art Gallery.