Segar Gallery.

Raja Segar is an institution on Colombo’s art circuit. He started sketching and selling unique hand-drawn post cards in the 70’s while struggling with a career as an accountant.
By the 80’s he had graduated to full-sized oil paintings and solo-exhibitions. Through the 80s and 90s he would establish himself as one of the most prolific and popular painters in the city. His bright, cubist renditions of scenes from Sri Lankan-life pop up all over town in homes, offices, restaurants and hotels and he’s exhibited in England, Australia and India.

Part of the reason behind Segar’s success is that he has always been both talented and commercially savvy- which is in no way a bad thing. Printing unique hand-drawn post cards in the 70’s, when only generic imported cards were available locally, was a stroke of monetary genius. Coming from an impoverished background the self-taught artist has used his talent to support himself and his family in Sri Lanlka’s small, underdeveloped and extremely fickle art market, which is really quite an achievement. The man’s latest commercial/artistic venture is the Segar’ Gallery where a selection of his work is permanently on sale. It’s located in a small space in the basement of the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel nearish the Goodies pastry shop, by the exit to the car park. It’s a long, narrow, shopping mall style premise that looks like it ought to sell sun-cream, tacky carved elephants and sunglasses but inside you find oil and water colors by a well-known artist.

Cubist scenes of Colombo actually make for more interesting purchases than your usual tourist tack and the prices are surprisingly reasonable with work starting at Rs 50 000 for Segar’s own pieces and less for smaller works by other artists. There’s also still a line of unique hand drawn post cards for Rs 2000 (though I don’t think Segar-himself draws them anymore) which make for great gifts. Unique pieces of art by a known artist for a few hundred dollars; more or less sums up the sate of the Sri Lankan art market- under-priced. Whether a Segar is or is not the investment for you it’s an interesting space and one of the better uses of the bland shopping arcades you commonly find attached to monolithic 5 star hotels in this city.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Beyond the Hook: Exploring Totally Hooked’s non-Seafood dishes

By Hashini Pathirana Totally Hooked CMB, as we are all aware, is widely renowned for

Kamu Yamu Guide

The Art of Fusion Cuisine at Mövenpick Hotel

By Vera Wadugodapitiya We walked into Robata Grill, Mövenpick. Instantly, what struck me about the

Highlights Kamu

A Taste of Mexico – Cinnamon Red’s Latest International Cuisine

By Shamrina Carim Every month, Cinnamon Red has come up with an exciting initiative to

Highlights Kamu

A Classical High Tea Encounter with the Coronation at Mount Lavinia Hotel

By Shamrina Carim Mount Lavinia Hotel hosted a casual evening of classic high tea encounters

Highlights Kamu

The Bento Box at Royal Thai, Cinnamon Lakeside

By Hiruni Herath When you step into the Royal Thai Restaurant at Cinnamon Lakeside, you’ll

Highlights Kamu

Totally Hooked – The Ultimate Seafood Destination

It is not a surprise that “Totally Hooked CMB", the talk of the seafood town,

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Club Hotel Dolphin, Negombo: A Fun-Filled Paradise for Travelers!

Nestled in the picturesque coastal town of Negombo, Sri Lanka, Club Hotel Dolphin by Browns

Trending

Chef Sanjay Brings the Flavours of Our Neighbours to Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo

Colombo, Monday 05th June 2023: Despite Sri Lanka’s proximity to the Indian Sub-Continent and a

Trending

Award Winning Indian Restaurant Junior Kuppanna in Colombo

Junior Kuppanna, opened its newest international branch in Colombo on 25th May 2023. The new

Trending

Hilton Sri Lanka Unveils ‘Enchanting Beginnings’ Wedding Sale

Swoon over exclusive wedding packages in stunning venues for a lifetime of memories Colombo, Sri

Trending

Ramada Colombo’s Exclusive Limited Time Wedding Discount

Book before June 15th and enjoy 25% off Planning the perfect wedding can be an

Trending

The 30th Gratiaen Prize shortlist was announced with the launch of the Gratiaen Trust Young Writers Club

The Gratiaen Trust in association with the John Keells Foundation partnering with the Trust for

Trending

Yamu Guide.

7 Yoga Studios in and around Colombo

By Udaraa Gamage Are you looking for ways to escape from all that hustling and

Highlights Yamu Guide

Beyond the Hook: Exploring Totally Hooked’s non-Seafood dishes

By Hashini Pathirana Totally Hooked CMB, as we are all aware, is widely renowned for

Kamu Yamu Guide

7 Decent BnB spots for under LKR 7500 – Sri Lanka

We all like spending mini vacations at affordable spots to relax or stay on the

Highlights Yamu Guide

7 Places to Dine Under LKR1500 LKR per person

By Udaraa Gamage Are you a foodie looking for budget places to satisfy your taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

The Aesthetics of Club Palm Bay

Club Palm Bay is a hotel located in the heart of a charming fishing village

Yamu Guide

High Tea Affairs at L.A.B by Hilton Colombo

By Hashini Pathirana A little chit chat with your besties, while sipping onto an Iced

Yamu Guide