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Visual Artist and Painter

Yakkas: Everyday Exorcisms

Yakkas: Everyday Exorcisms is a series of paintings featuring Sri Lankan folk dancers masked as Yakkas (devils or demons) who traditionally perform in colorful and often comedic exorcism rituals to remove unseen spirits causing physical and mental ailments. In mundane American scenes from my own life, the Yakkas go about their daily lives and occasionally interact with people. The all-night ritual of Thovil (which could be described as a roast disguised as a ceremony in honor of the Yakkas) has more relevance today as tourist spectacle than for its intended purpose as an occult healing ritual, but I'm interested in the purpose they once served for communities who embraced them since pre-Buddhist times on the island. The original symbolism of the Yakkas is also used in scenes where I combine self portraiture with Yakkas who act out my own inner conflicts.

After the Rains

Oil on Canvas

60"x72"

2022

The Offering

Oil over Acrylic on Wood

11"x14" Panels

2022

Exhibition view at The Hall Brooklyn, 2019

The Summoning of Maha Sona

Oil on Panel

Diptych on 18"x24" panels

2022

Road Trip

Acrylic on Canvas

60"x40"

2018

Rooms I 

Acrylic on Canvas

36"x24"

2018

Rooms II

Acrylic on Canvas

36"x24"

2018

Rider and Ridee I & II

Acrylic on Canvas

48"x48"

2019

The Passage

Oil on Canvas

60"x72"

2022

Whistling Through the Graveyard

Oil on Canvas

60"x72"

2022

Carry On

Oil on Canvas

48"x60"

2022

Projections

Oil on Canvas

72"x60"

2022

Incarnation

Oil on Canvas

60"x72"

2022

Pandam Paliya

Acrylic on Canvas

36"x48"

2022

Maha Sona

Acrylic on Canvas

36"x48"

2022

Dehi Kapima (lime cutting)

Oil on Panel

11"x14"

2022

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