"The Art of Finding Yourself."

Recent Work Gallery Chathuranga

#OilonCanvas&Objects #Semi-AbstractPaintings

The Path of Happiness

There’s no Path to Happiness, Happiness is the Path! > Buddha
To be happy, we need to look within ourselves. Thoroughly analyze the consequences of our thoughts, words, and actions, and focus on the happiness and abundance that surrounds us. The path of Buddhism shows the road to happiness and allows you to live your life to the fullest.

Height100x160cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Soul Explosion

Listen to your own voice, hear your own soul. Too many people let the noise of the world guide them, instead taking the lead themselves. Most crucial things in life are not visible to the physical eye, so we need to surpass our physical limitations. Only when our soul explodes beyond the realm of our mortal self, we stretch the limits of what we think is real, and we can begin to see the truth about who we are and why we’re here.

Height50x70cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Positive Vibes

Be protective of your own positive vibes. People that are happy tend to be more self-aware, self-assured and content with and within themselves. Truly happy people are not concerned with what others think of them or how they are perceived by others, they are just content being themselves. They live authentically and do not let others define them or dictate how they should be.

Height80x60cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Purity Heals

In Buddhism, the Lotus stands for purity of body, mind and speech. A Lotus flower is pure because it doesn't touch the murky water, it just floats above it. We should also stay pure in the same way, not touching the temptations of material attachment and physical desire. In doing this we release a healing effect that leads to a long life in good health, a life led with honor and good luck, as also symbolized by the Lotus. In times of weakness, return to who you are in this moment and notice that just like a Lotus flower you can bloom to be strong and beautiful, rising from the mud.

Height80x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Vibrance

Vibrance … bursts of energy, enthusiasm and life! We can see this in people as well as animals. Anything can serve as an example; some creatures are vibrant, fierce and energetic, others tranquil and soothing, and even others complex and intriguing. Any vibrance can be noticed and felt if we are willing to notice them. Just fine-tune your senses and feel the vibes!

Height100x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Life Balance

Forget work-life balance, just go for life balance. Work-life balance suggests there is only work (which is not life) and life (which is not work). Life balance is the better term, because life encompasses all sides of our existence: family, work, friends, hobbies, etc. It’s the balance of all these aspects that defines our life and has the potential to make us happy. There is no such thing as a universal balance; every person, couple, family or group must determine their own balance.

Height100x100cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Purple Heart

Love … one word for so many different experiences. All of us go through different varieties of love at one point in our lives. A purple (violet) heart symbolizes a sensitive, understanding and compassionate love. This type of compassionate love (also known as companionate) mainly revolves around feelings of mutual respect, trust, and affection.

Height50x70cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

River of Life

Life is a continuous flow, much like a river. Sometimes the river is still, other moments there are rapids … but the flow never stops, and life goes on. All we have are options: to go with the flow and move on with life, to stay still like a rock while life passes over us or to fight against the current. It’s up to you to choose. You create your own luck, you create your future, you decide.

Height120x60cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Integrity Hoots

The typical sound of the great horned owl - two short and deep hoos followed by a long hoo - can be heard from several miles away. We could say that as an owl hoots, so does integrity; people who approach life with relentless integrity can be seen from a far and their presence is always noted. Having clear principles and living by them at all times really is a trait to be honored, because in the end we should always do the right thing, even when the right thing is hard to do or there is no-one around to see it.

Height90x90cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Ups & Downs

Experiencing ups and downs is a normal part of the human experience. Without up, there is no down; without high, no low. Enjoy the ups and celebrate the victories. Maximize them because they don’t last, and therein lies a big part of their beauty. Accept the downs, instead of fighting them. In adversity we grow, by focusing on the good in times of despair. Every challenge is also an opportunity, if we are willing to see.

Height90x90cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Brave Friendship

Some friendships are not easy to maintain. There might be resistance from other people like friends or family, but still we continue because we feel it's worth it. It takes a lot of courage to maintain these friendships, but like Koi fish - often compared with the Samurai for their bravery of swimming upstream - we also sometimes need to go against the current. In doing this, we show our strength, bravery and perseverance.

Height80x120cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

The Magic Key that is Integrity

Living life with integrity is like having a magic key that unlocks the door to leading a full life and being respected by many. Having the courage to say no, to face the truth, and to simply do what is right might seem easy, but in reality we often see that it’s not. Abide by these rules and you will obtain the magic key that is integrity, one of the few things money cannot buy.

Height80x140cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Cathartic I

Release those strong or repressed emotions within you, because it provides relief. Let out your anger or frustration, so ultimately you can start to feel better. We all have our own struggles with resentments and disappointments, and diving into those emotions is normal and necessary. But at some point we need to release them and simply let them go in any way, shape or form. That is catharsis; an emotional and purifying cleansing.

Height50x100cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Stay Rooted

Every gardener knows that the most important part of a plant resides underground. If the roots are weak, the entire plant will suffer. If the roots are strong, the plant can withstand extreme conditions and bear more flowers and fruits. Living deeply rooted lives as human beings is equally important. When we have strong roots, we are better equipped to withstand the storms, falls, turnovers, and freezes that life throws at us.

Height50x50cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Life Is Gold

All life has a tremendous value. Living life in the present is crucial. Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future often prevents us from living in the now, and being present in the current moment. Be in the here and now, appreciate life and show gratitude for it.

Height70x50cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Deep Impact

We all have these moments and people in our life that have a lasting impact; some in a positive and others in a negative way. Both these good and bad experiences can create a deep impact. It goes without saying that we should cherish the constructive moments and the people that inspire us to be happy, because they bring out the best in us. However, even the negative can serve as a lesson that lasts a lifetime and we can use these seemingly negative events to trigger growth and transformation. In short, we should treasure ALL deep impact moments and connections, for they last a lifetime.

Height80x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are neither static nor absolute. Nothing is completely Yin or Yang, and the nature of Yin and Yang flows and changes with time. A simple example is day and night. Day becomes night and then night becomes day. The day gradually flows into the night, however the length of day and night are always changing. There is only an eternal movement and transformation from one state to another, a delicate dance of becoming one and finding balance.

2 x Height24x30cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

For a Lifetime

Swans stay together for life, symbolizing pure love and loyalty. That's why they are truly heartbroken when their partner dies. The bond they form is powerful because it represents the best guarantee for raising their offspring and continuing their family. In this age of fleeting connections, the swan can teach us a lot about loyalty and partnership. Loyalty in love is simply the most precious thing on earth.

Height100x100cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Earth

Mother Nature is a universal inspiration for artists around the globe. Earth, the soil … it filters our water, supplies vital nutrients to our woods and crops, and it helps with the digestion of greenhouse gasses, regulating earth’s temperature. Let us hope that we will not destroy our ecosystem and refer it solely to the history books.

Height60x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

The Secret of Making Memories

The best things in life are free: hugs, smiles, friends, kisses, family, sleep, love, laughter and memories. Without a doubt we make some of the best memories when we are travelling. That's why travelling is one of the few things, if not the only thing, that costs money but actually makes us richer.

Height50x50cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Gratitude

Gratitude means thankful appreciation for what we have, receive and experience. Let's focus on what is and be grateful for that, rather than focusing on what we don't have. Even in difficult times we need to practice gratitude; for life, for love and for every day lived. The real gifts are in the small things.

Height80x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Jewel of Life

Every life is a precious jewel, not only human life. In a balanced ecosystem, every organism has its purpose and role. A great example are bees; they work extremely hard and have an incredible work ethic, and yet they are heavily underappreciated. Our lives – and entire world – would be a very different place if bees didn’t exist. Chathuranga wants to draw attention to the worrisome future of the honey bee, by putting them in the spotlight. If it weren’t for them, this painting would not be the same. After creating the first version of the painting, it’s up to a colony of about 50.000 honey bees to finalize and transform it. The result is always a stunning natural wonder as it’s created by nature’s crucial pollinators themselves. Working with bees means surrendering to chance, to accept what we cannot control.

Height24x30cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Protect Your Energy

Negativity can be seductive. Distractions, impulses, hollow emotions … all of these can eat away at our energy ever so gradually. We might not notice immediately, but before we know it our vitality and vigor have faded. That's exactly why we should protect our own energy, our own vibes and our being from the many negative interferences that surround us. Guard yourself, your future you will thank you for it.

Height80x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

On Wings of Integrity

With the wind of integrity under our wings, we will always be on the right course in life. And with integrity we don’t mean perfection, but rather authenticity and the simple fact that we need to be the same on the inside as we claim to be on the outside. In the end, being true to ourselves is what matters most.
“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Height80x100cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Mum’s Integrity

A wise old owl sat in an oak. The more he saw, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why aren't we all like that wise old bird? - English nursery rhyme
This is my tribute to Mums in general and a very special one in specific. Mums are integrity personified and represent a real blessing in our lives. They always say that integrity is the mother of all virtues...

Height100x100cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

A Caterpillar Never Suspects it will Turn into a Butterfly

We all have the possibility of greatness within us, often without even knowing it. Under the right circumstances and in the right situation we can all transform into the butterfly we have within. All we have to do is trust the process, stay humble and believe. Have you found your inner butterfly yet?

Height80x120cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

La Integridad es Universal

Integrity knows no boundaries, it’s simply universal. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, whether you think you’re cool or not, or which language you speak. The only important thing is how you treat people, and treating them with integrity is everything! Be consistent in your actions, methods, measures and values, and this will be regarded as the opposite of hypocrisy. There’s a lot of universal beauty in living with integrity…

Height90x90cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Family Minds

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. > Johann Friedrich von Schiller
Family is not always determined by blood, but rather by heart. Loving and being loved fiercely, deeply and sincerely makes family. In this case distance does not matter; if the mind and heart are connected, no amount of kilometers can break the bond.

Height100x160cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Robin

Has a robin ever come to visit you when least expected? If the answer is yes, then you've had a profoundly significant moment. A robin approaching you after the death of a loved one is a sign that they are at peace and it reminds us that we're not alone. It also represents new beginnings and transformation, a rebirth if you will. And finally, when a robin manifests itself, it brings us hope and encourages us to keep moving forward, with grace and determination. Be welcome in my life, o robin, for it means spring is here for all!

Height100x160cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Fire of Love

Love can be extremely beautiful, but also heart-wrenchingly painful; love intact is bliss, love lost is misery. You can compare it to a fire: it offers warmth and coziness, but we can also get burnt by the flames. Even so, a scratched heart might not heal, but it does keep on beating.

Height50x50cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Define Your Own Path

Everyone achieves greatness in their own way. We all have passions, talents and gifts that can positively contribute to humanity. Don’t follow the masses, but live your own life. Don’t compare with others, but treasure your uniqueness.

Height60x120cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Reincarnation

Death is always a sensitive topic. What most people fear is their own demise; a fear that is rooted in the uncertainty about what will happen after passing away. People that are deeply connected with the spiritual world, however, realize that death is not the end, but just the next step in their spiritual evolution. In the case of reincarnation, the afterlife is literally seen as a new beginning, with a new body and a new life. You are not a body with a soul, but a soul with a body.

Height100x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Aura

We humans create our own energy field through an abundance of electrical impulses being sent from the brain to our nerve endings. Another name for this energy field is Aura. Depending on how you are feeling and your state of mind, the Aura can take on many colors: radiant and glowing when you’re happy, feeling blessed, or just in a positive state of mind; darker and more dull when you’re feeling angry, sad, depressed, anxious, or any other negative state. The color and glow of your aura directly follows your feelings and thoughts …

Height100x80cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

The Good Thing about Bad Moments

Your worst moments can really put your priorities into perspective; they can make you realize you need to make a change and trigger a shift in direction.
Hitting rock bottom can be clarifying; lying to yourself and being in denial will no longer work. It’s when you must make adjustments and are forced to take a step back, that you can see what you’ve been doing wrong, and take initiative.

Height100x100cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Epiphany

An appearance, a manifestation, a revealing scene or moment. Describe it as you will, but it is abundantly clear that an epiphany is a moment of profound impact. It can illuminate us, surprise us, and finally allow us to see things as they truly are. These rare moments should be seized, because they can illuminate the right path for us to follow.

Height100x50cm
Chathuranga Akurassage
Oil on Canvas

Art Fairs & Exhibitions

- Fri 02, Sat 03, Sun 04 July 2021
- EuropArtFair 2021
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Booth 88
- https://www.europartfair.com/

Biography Chathuranga

Theravada Meditation Master.

“The thoughts that pass through your mind are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Your predominant thoughts influence your behavior and attitude, and control your actions and reactions. As your thoughts are, so is your life.”

Chathuranga

Origin story

Let your mind roam to the land of Sri Lanka, because this is where the story of Chathuranga Akurassage (ºMarch 7th 1986) begins. It’s where we can find the roots of his being, and therefore his art. In Dansinan Estate, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Here the seed was planted; amid abundant tea plantations, submerged in a peaceful environment and surrounded by deep-rooted Buddhist influences. All generations before him were Buddhist – a tradition that goes back 2600 years – and Chathuranga himself is even a Theravada Buddhist Meditation Master. He approaches Buddhism more as a philosophy than a religion and studies the topic relentlessly and in detail. Every single day is an opportunity to go on a spiritual journey, let his thoughts wander and try to reach profound new insights. This mindset allows him, among other things, to be open to other beliefs and respect the multiple creeds of this world.

Early Work, deeply rooted Buddhist influences, 1999.

Early Work, inspired by Nature’s palette, 1997.

Transformative evolution

At the age of five, Chathuranga first discovered the sensation of a paint brush between his fingers and the magic this could create. And like that, the door to a new world opened. Since then, Chathuranga has been transforming constantly; starting with natural and classic landscapes and paintings of Lord Buddha, slowly moving into a semi-abstract approach, more minimalistic and contemporary in style. Abstract expressionism or soul art are probably the most accurate terms to describe his current pieces. His substantial body of work – oil on canvas and oil on objects – has been showcased and traded across Asia and Europe. The Eastern influence has always been visible in the unique color and form of his paintings, however his style is very versatile and eclectic. Living in both Belgium and Sri Lanka, and having an art studio in both countries, has infused his oeuvre with a multi-facetted essence. It’s all about technique, vibes and colors for this artist.

Early Work, inspired by Nature and LOVE, 2004.

Early work, inspired by Nature’s Secrets and Beauty, 1996.

Natural wonders

For some of his works Chathuranga uses honey bees. After creating the first version of the painting, it’s up to a colony of about 50.000 honey bees to finalize and transform the painting. The result is always mesmerizing, a stunning natural wonder created by nature’s crucial pollinators themselves. Working with bees means surrendering to chance and accepting what we cannot control, which also happens to be one of the Buddhist principles. This is an important topic to Chathuranga, and in working with honey bees he wants to draw attention to the worrisome future of the honey bee, a pressing environmental issue.

Honey Bee Art.

#inspiration, forest Brugge, Belgium.

Soulful inspiration

Inspiration is an intangible force, and often its source cannot be traced. For Chathuranga, it can spring out of nowhere, when least expected. Sometimes it sprouts from his background, and other times from childhood memories, daily life and feelings, travel or individual and universal concerns. All these elements especially come to life in the distinctive color palette of his paintings. In terms of themes, you will see a few recurring topics: Inner Peace; Mindset; The Art of Living, Loving and Finding Yourself; (Human) Energy and Positive Vibes; Meditation; Spiritual well-being; The Power of The Mind; Happiness; Gratitude; the Ups and Downs in Life; Birth, Death and Grief; Transformation …
In summary, Chathuranga paints about living authentically and with soul, about our rich spiritual and inner world as human beings.

Authentic living

A constant element in Chathuranga’s pieces is living authentically. This artist wants to inspire people to connect with themselves, their loved ones and ultimately the universe. He truly believes that “the only value art has, is what it does to your heart and soul”. The world is a multi-layered fusion, a contemporary jungle that can be cold, confusing and stressful. In between over-information, invisible radiation and superficial social networks, people can get lost. We need inner peace to stay balanced and happy. Chathuranga’s work is an expression of deep and profound explorations of issues that should concern mankind. As an artist he hopes to inspire others to be at peace with themselves, and to meditate on the concept of life and happiness. Peace of mind is not a synonym of everything being perfect, but rather of being content with your essence despite things not being perfect. It’s not the absence of conflict from life, but the ability to cope with it. This transformative mindset is key in all his work. Not surprisingly it is also key within Buddhism and a part of Chathuranga’s DNA. His Belgian mum, who he lost on October 20th of 2020, was the perfect embodiment of this principle as well. She understood as no-one else that true beauty is measured by the number of pearls within you, not those around your neck. Her legacy, and especially her way of living, will always inspire Chathuranga.

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.”

Marcus Aurelius

Expressive strokes in a colorful flow

When Chathuranga paints, he often listens to meditational or inspirational music, and always chooses a spot with a view on nature, in symbiosis with the fauna and flora in this world. For him, painting is meditation, a continual practice of becoming present, and each palette knife and brush stroke allows him to slide deeper into his meditative flow. He considers his mind and soul to be the real artists; they direct his body and put his thoughts on a canvas or another object in a tangible way. No sketches beforehand, no preconceived idea about shapes or colors, just going with the flow of that specific moment. Simply creating a reflection of what has always been present in the universe, in nature, in our entire existence.

#inspiration, tea plantations, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Honouring our dearest Mum. #MmeChristianeCozijns #RIP #MaySheAttainNIRVANA

International exhibitions and fairs.

Journey to inner peace

Discovering who you really are is a journey, not a destination. This can also be said of Chathuranga’s art. It’s a path, an evolution that takes on different shapes and colors as he lives new experiences and adventures. In a way the goal is to take the viewers along on the journey and make them think about their own path by offering them visual anchors on the way to their inner peace.