Sri Lankan artist couple bring ‘Two Hearts One Canvas’ to Kathmandu

Kathmandu is set to host 'Two Hearts One Canvas,' a joint exhibition by Sri Lankan artists Manoranjana Herath and Dilini Perera. The show, which opens August 14 and runs through September 7 at The Kalā Salon in Chhaya Center, Thamel, presents the work of the husband-and-wife artistic duo.

Curated by Sophia L Pandé, the exhibition brings together two distinct thematic series: Herath's 'The Kiss' and Perera's 'Poetic Mind.' Herath's work uses semi-abstract figurative forms to explore themes of affection, intimacy, and longing, featuring entwined figures that reflect emotional dynamics in relationships. Perera's series delves into memory, dreams, and inner reflection, incorporating feminine figures alongside natural imagery like flowers and fish.

While the artists maintain individual visual styles, their works are presented in conversation, creating a shared visual language that explores human emotions, love, memory, imagination, and connection. The exhibition's title, 'Two Hearts One Canvas,' reflects not only their partnership as artists and spouses but also the interplay of emotion and imagination, reality and poetry, and presence and memory within their creative practices.

Herath, a professor of sculpture at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, has previously exhibited in Kathmandu. Perera, a painter and art educator, has also shown her work internationally, including in Nepal. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the couple's shared artistic vision and their exploration of universal human experiences.