TIMELINE
-
1930
Born in Moratuwa, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
-
1947
First national recognition
Highest Award – Ceylon Society of Arts Annual Exhibition
-
1948
Leading young painter
Three prizes – Ceylon Society of Arts Competitive Exhibition
-
Early 1940 -1950s
Formal modernist training
Studies under K. S. Perera, Cora Abraham, Stanley Abeysinghe, Harry Pieris
-
1949–1967
Nearly two decades shaping arts education
Art Teacher, Bishop’s College, Colombo
-
From 1954
Regular national exhibitions begin
Exhibits with Ceylon Society of Arts
-
1954
Few women within the modernist collective
Member, Colombo ’43 Group
-
1956
Early International Exposure
Cambridge exhibition, UK
-
1958
Public showing of paintings
USIS Library exhibition, Colombo
-
1960
Major international milestone
Venice Biennale
-
Early 1960s
National arts leadership role
Member, National Committee of Plastic Artists
-
1964
Public showcasing of paintings
Studio Times exhibition, Colombo
-
1964
Public showcasing of paintings
German Cultural Institute exhibition, Colombo
-
1968
Shift to textile and fashion practice
Founded Swanee boutique
-
Late 1960s
Signature 'Explosion Batik' style
Developed experimental batik and tie-dye techniques
-
1969
Introduced Sri Lankan batik to UK audiences
Textile exhibitions in London and Birmingham
-
1970
Stopped painting for several years
Approximately 400 paintings lost
-
1970–1977
Swanee brand expanded
Primarily textiles and fashion production
-
1977
Renewed studio practice
Resumed painting
-
1980s–2000s
Works held in private and family collections
Continued painting and textile production
-
2010
Six decades of multidisciplinary work
Passed away
-
2012
Reintroduced paintings to new audiences
Major retrospective exhibition in Sri Lanka
-
2020s–Present
Growing international recognition
Estate stewardship and renewed scholarship
1930
BORN SUVENITHI MONICA JAYAWARDENE
Born in Moratuwa, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
1947
First national recognition
Highest Award – Ceylon Society of Arts Annual Exhibition
1948
Leading young painter
Three prizes – Ceylon Society of Arts Competitive Exhibition
Early 1940 -1950s
Formal modernist training
Studies under K. S. Perera, Cora Abraham, Stanley Abeysinghe, Harry Pieris
1949–1967
Nearly two decades shaping arts education
Art Teacher, Bishop’s College, Colombo
From 1954
Regular national exhibitions begin
Exhibits with Ceylon Society of Arts
1954
Few women within the modernist collective
Member, Colombo ’43 Group
1956
Early international exposure
Cambridge exhibition, UK
1958
Public showing of paintings
USIS Library exhibition, Colombo
1960
Major international milestone
Venice Biennale
Early 1960s
National arts leadership role
Member, National Committee of Plastic Artists
1964
Public showing of paintings
Studio Times exhibition, Colombo
1964
Public showing of paintings
German Cultural Institute exhibition, Colombo
1968
Shift to textile and fashion practice
Founded Swanee boutique
Late 1960s
Signature 'Explosion Batik' style
Developed experimental batik and tie-dye techniques
1969
Introduced Sri Lankan batik to UK audiences
Textile exhibitions in London and Birmingham
1970
Stopped painting for several years
Approximately 400 paintings lost
1970–1977
Swanee brand expanded
Primarily textiles and fashion production
1977
Renewed studio practice
Resumed painting
1980s–2000s
Works held in private and family collections
Continued painting and textile production
2010
Six decades of multidisciplinary work
Passed away
2012
Reintroduced paintings to new audiences
Major retrospective exhibition in Sri Lanka
2020s – Present
Growing international recognition
Estate stewardship and renewed scholarship