Sapumal Foundation

32/4 Barnes Place
Colombo 7

Tele: 011 2695731
Contact person: L. S. D. Pieris

The Sapumal Foundation was established by artist Harry Pieris in 1974 to promote innovation and creativity in artistic activities. Being an active member of the 43 group (Sri Lankan modernist artists’ group that emerged in the 1940s), Harry Pieris’s intentions were to generate interest and new ideologies of art in the future generations. Harry Pieris endowed the Sapumal Foundation with his house and its contents including his library and collection of paintings.

At present, Sapumal Foundation is the custodian of an extensive collection of nearly 1000 paintings of the 1935- 1960s period. It also holds an art library. The main halls of the building function as permanent galleries where works by the 43 group artists are exhibited. The studio of Harry Pieris and the garden space is given out as exhibition and activity spaces for selected art events. Sapumal Foundation also houses a print workshop.

Objective:
One of the main objectives of Sapumal Foundation is to maintain an archive of historical paintings. It hopes to facilitate art appreciation through giving an opportunity to view Sri Lankan art and contribute to and facilitate the overall development in the visual arts. It also support art training.