I was born and raised in Sri Lanka. I have travelled extensively within Sri Lanka and other developing countries and have seen and met the most amazingly generous, kind, strong and proud beings living in some of the harshest of conditions. Their unbelievable resilience and the iron will to survive with such grace, dignity and love for one another is truly inspiring. My pencil works are of real people with real lives. Using photos from my travels or found photography as a reference, I have tried to capture the pure and raw emotions expressed by the subject during the shoot unhindered by expectations or circumstances. 

Now living in Canada, I see the vast economic, social and cultural differences between the two worlds, and it reminds me of how blessed we are as a nation and to never take it for granted.

All my pencil drawings are created using graphite, colour pencils and charcoal.

Email all commission requests to sandamaliangunawelaart@gmail.com