Meet the artist
Ama Liyanage is a contemporary artist and printmaker crafting whimsical paintings from her home studio in Kitchener, ON. She draws inspiration from cherished childhood memories in Sri Lanka and the simple, often overlooked joys of everyday life.
Having nurtured a fondness for jigsaw puzzles since her early years, Ama revels in the intricacies and hidden nuances that sometimes link her paintings together. She takes great pleasure in the thought of perceptive observers discovering the minuscule painted details in her artwork, each one narrating a story or invoking a touch of humor.
She embarked on an exploration of rediscovering creativity in adulthood and the transformative journey of embracing art as a vocation. This journey began with a reflection on the power of relaxation, a departure from the years spent wrestling with the notion of self-worth tethered solely to productivity.
Her painting style is ever-evolving and multifaceted, embracing experimentation and allowing diverse techniques to coexist harmoniously.
Inspired by French and Dutch Impressionist portrayals of leisure, she reimagines these traditions to challenge conventional depictions of women of colour, which are often centered around labor. Through her art, Ama shifts this narrative, offering representations that celebrate identity, leisure, and introspection.
CV
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
2025 - The Artist Project - Toronto, ON
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 - Roots & Reverie - Minds Eye Studio Art Gallery, Kitchener, ON
2024 - Restoration - Necessary Arts Gallery, Guelph, ON
2023 - Women at Leisure - Necessary Arts Gallery, Guelph, ON
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 - Hoop-la Exhibition - Necessary Arts Collective Gallery, Guelph, ON
2024 - Untapped Emerging Artist Section, The Artist Project - Toronto, ON
2024 - Window Gallery, Wyndham Art Supplies - Guelph, ON
2023 - Juried Art Show - Homer Watson House and Gallery, Waterloo, ON
2023 - Hoop-la Exhibition - Necessary Arts Collective Gallery, Guelph, ON
2023 - Press Annual Juried Print Exhibition - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
2023 - Cézanne’s Closet - Union Gallery, Kingston, ON
2022 - Juried Art Show - Homer Watson House and Gallery, Waterloo, ON
2022 - Annual Juried Exhibition - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
2022 - Press Annual Juried Print Exhibition - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
2022 - BFA Members Show - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
2022 - Art Market Exhibit - Visitor Information Centre, Kitchener, ON
2022 - Hoop-la Exhibition - Necessary Arts Collective Gallery, Guelph, ON
2021 - Annual Juried Exhibition - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
2021 - Hoop-la Exhibition - Necessary Arts Collective Gallery, Guelph, ON
2021 - Mother Complex - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
2021 - Press Annual Juried Print Exhibition - Button Factory Arts, Kitchener, ON
PROJECTS
2024 - Waterloo Park Art Promenade Selected Artist, City of Waterloo
2022 - The Beasting - A blind art collaboration involving local artists produced by
the City of Kitchener in partnership with My Pet Skeleton.
AWARDS
2022 - 1st Prize Award at the Annual Juried Art Show (Homer Watson House and Gallery)
SELECTED PRESS
2024 - Culture Fancier - Roots and Reverie: Interview with Ama Liyanage
2024 - Toronto Star - Want to be the first to buy the next big art sensation? Five untapped, emerging Toronto artists to connect with
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Artspace Warehouse - Los Angeles Art Gallery