Maria Abeyesekere

Maria Abeyesekere is a Sri Lankan contemporary realist and figurative artist with more than 35 years of professional experience. Working primarily in oil and graphite, her practice is distinguished by meticulous observation, refined realism and a profound sensitivity to human expression, character and emotion. Although portraiture and figurative art form the core of her practice, Abeyesekere also explores the natural world through highly detailed wildlife and botanical works. Her paintings of Sri Lanka's endemic species reflect her close relationship with the island's extraordinary biodiversity, while her botanical studies combine artistic precision with an interest in scientific accuracy and conservation. A self-taught artist, Abeyesekere has developed an individual approach rooted in contemporary realism and hyperrealism. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in private collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. She has also represented Sri Lanka in international artistic and botanical initiatives and has received international recognition, including the French Riviera Prize and the Poseidon Prize in Venice. Her paintings seek to go beyond visual likeness, whether portraying a person, an animal or a botanical subject, to convey presence, character and the quiet emotional qualities found within the subject itself.

Maria Abeyesekere ARTWORKS

Maria Abeyesekere EXHIBITIONS

2026

6th Barcelona Art Biennial, MEAM — European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona, Spain — 30 October–1 November 2026 — Invited by Dr. Salvatore Russo, Curator and Art Historian; declined due to uncertainty regarding the on-time delivery of paintings to Barcelona amid ongoing transport and airport strikes across Spain, compounded by multiple severe and adverse weather events experienced in Sri Lanka this year.

Monaco Art Fair, Monaco — 11–13 September 2026 — Invited. Declined due to uncertainty regarding the reliable and timely international transportation of paintings from Sri Lanka, amid ongoing disruptions and multiple severe weather events affecting Sri Lanka in 2026.

2025

Art Expo New York, USA — Jury-Selected Exhibition.

The Face, The Figure, Las Laguna Art Gallery, California, USA — Jury-Selected Exhibition.

Botanical Art Worldwide ’25, Pune, India 17–24 May 2025.— Invited to Represent Sri Lanka;

2024

Women of the World Art Exhibit, LinkedIn NYC — Tribeca, New York, USA; 20–25 August 2024.

Association of Animal Artists, UK — Spring Exhibition, Rose Paterson Gallery, Western Park, UK; March–April 2024.

Association of Animal Artists, UK — Online Exhibition; June–July 2024.

Association of Animal Artists, UK — Annual Charity Art Auction; August 2024.

Association of Animal Artists, UK — Autumn Exhibition; October–November 2024.

2023

Association of Animal Artists, UK — Autumn Exhibition, The Station, Richmond, North Yorkshire, UK; November–December 2023.

2022

Faraway Places, Las Laguna Art Gallery, California, USA.

2021

National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS) — Associate Member Online Exhibition, USA.

1993

Portrait Exhibition, Frankfurt, Germany — Best Portrait of the Show.

1990

Juried Art Exhibition, International Christian Youth Foundation — Best Young Artist.

1990–2002

32 Private Group Exhibitions in Germany.

INVITATIONS / SELECTIONS — UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE

The following international exhibition invitations and selections were received but could not be undertaken. The 2026 invitations were declined because of uncertainty surrounding the reliable and timely transportation of original artworks from Sri Lanka, in the context of transport disruptions, adverse weather conditions and related logistical uncertainties. The 2025 invitations were affected by disruptions to international parcel and delivery services from Sri Lanka; the earlier invitations were affected by the pandemic.

Portrait Exhibition, Brick Lane Gallery, London, UK — 28 January–10 February 2025 — invited

Genova Art Fair, Italy — Mega Art Gallery, 2025 — Invited

Vernice Art Fair, Forlì, Italy — Mega Art Gallery, 28–30 March 2025 — Invited

EuroXspoArt 2025, Italy — Mega Art Gallery — Invited

ARTfair INNSBRUCK 2025, Austria — Van Gogh Art Gallery, Madrid — Invited

ART WORLD FAIRS PARIS, France — Van Gogh Art Gallery, Madrid — Invited

Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, Georgia, USA — 44th Annual Gala, 2022 — Invited

Lisboa International Contemporary Juried Exhibition, Portugal, 2022 — Selected

Dubai Art Expo, UAE, 2021 — Invited to represent Sri Lanka

2nd Art for Art International Virtual Art Juried Exhibition, Oyster Art Gallery, Pakistan, 2021 — Invited

Maria Abeyesekere

Country:

Sri Lanka

Website:

mariaabeyart.com

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