Colombo is really not one of the world’s art-hubs but there are little galleries selling very affordable and rather attractive art works all over the city.
Our latest affordable art find is the Art Studio Bamboo a somewhat unheralded little display space which has apparently stood within the ODEL complex for three years. It’s to the left of the main entrance, at the front of the car park. Inside you’ll find a selection of work, largely by young artists, curated by Linda Madanayake. Broadly the idea seems to be a commercial gallery space, in a location with high-foot traffic which gives up and coming artists a chance to display and sell their work.
Linda sources the pieces from shows, art-schools and directly from artists and while it’s affordable it’s generally of a high standard and selected to be appealing to the general public – rather than art-illuminati. There’s nothing too abstract or eclectic here, these are pieces you’d be happy to hang on a wall in your home.
It’s actually quite useful to have a collection of appealing, affordable art, open 6 days a week, in a handy location with ample parking. Saves you the trouble of sifting through the Viharamahadevi park art-pola’s less than reliable selection.
There is also work by more established artists like George Bevan and Vincent Leanage available but broady prices range from Rs 10 000- 50 000 which, for a unique and appealing piece of art to hang on your wall, is really quite reasonable.
