Chan Dissanayake was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Australia in 1985 with his family. His early talent in drawing was recognized as far back as his pre-school days. A love, which remained to this day.

Although he has pursued a career as a computer professional his passion for art was never lost. Since moving to Canberra ACT (Australian Capital Territory) in 2005, he has taken a keen interest in the field of arts and specially in watercolour painting. Encouraged by his tutors and mentors his works have achieved an instant success in exhibitions and art competitions.

Chan has served as a board member of ASOC (Artists Society of Canberra). He is also a member of CAW (Canberra Art Workshop) and QAS (Queanbeyan Artists Society). He has studied watercolour at Charles Sturt University in Mitchell School of Creative Arts with renowned Australian Artists such as Charles Sluga, Ross Patterson and Joseph Zbukvic.

Artist's Statement

"My works represent my inner response to the world around me. As an artist, my aim is to capture an impression of my subject with as little detail as possible. This is done by simplifying the subject matter to its core elements. I find that watercolour is a tailor made medium for this purpose.

Watercolour is a demanding medium. It is paramount that one learns the language of watercolour. Only then you can command it to do its magic for you.”

 

Selected Exhibitons

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2012 May	Directors Choice- 2012 (Group Exhibition) 19th May to 25th June 2012 Bungendore WoodWorks Gallery, Bungendore
2011 December	A Breath of Fresh ART - 2011 Asthma Foundation ACT 30 November to 22 December 2011 Humble House Gallery , Fyshwick
2010 October	Cool Waters (Solo Exhibition) 2nd October - 15th November 2010 Bungendore woodsworks Gallery , Bungendore View Brochure (2.4Mb)
2010 January	Life Studies & Portraits in Watercolour (Joint Exhibition) 25th August - 5th Feb 2010 Belconnen community centre Gallery , Swanson Ct, Belconnen View Brochure (2.4Mb)
2009 August	"Coastlines" Approches to the Australian Coast (Group Exhibition) 29th August - 4th October 2009 Bungendore Wood works Gallery , Kings Highway, Bungendore View Brochure (2.4Mb)
2009 May	"SCAPES" Group Exhibition April 30th - May 31st 2009 The Artists Shed Gallery, 14 Foster Street, Queanbeyan View Brochure (22kb)
2009 Sept	Blacktown Art Prize Sept 19th - Oct 17th 2009 Blacktown Arts Centre 78 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown

Awards

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2011 Sep	First Prize (Section :Watercolour) rtists Society of Canberra - Annual Spring Art Exhibition 2011
2010 Feb	First Prize (Section :Portrait & Figure) Royal Canberra Art Show 2010, Exhibition Park, Canberra
2009 Oct	First Prize (Section :Portrait & Figure) Artists Society of Canberra - Annual Spring Art Exhibition 2009
2009 Oct	First Prize (Section: Sports & Recreation) Artists Society of Canberra - Annual Spring Art Exhibition 2009
2009 May	Highly commended Camden Art Prize 2009
2008 Oct	Third Prize - Portrait& Figure Artists Society of Canberra - Annual Spring Art Exhibition 2008
2008 Oct	Highly Commended - Transparent Watercolour Goulburn District Art Society Annual Exhibition 2008
2008 Sept	Highly Commended - Watercolour Queanbeyan City Council Art Exhibition 2008
2008 April	Tom Parson's Memmorial Award CAW 60th Anniversary Art Exhibition
2008 Feb	Second Prize - Figurative section Royal Canberra Art Show 2008
2008 Feb	Second Prize - Landscape or cityscape section Royal Canberra Art Show 2008
2007 Sept	Second Prize - Transparent watercolour Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition 2007