The George Keyt Foundation presents Young Contemporaries 2025 celebrating emerging artistic talent

The George Keyt Foundation celebrates the return of Young Contemporaries, one of its pioneering and prestigious exhibitions, featuring the exceptional creativity of twelve emerging Sri Lankan artists at the Barefoot Gallery in Colombo from September 24-28, 2025.

Young Contemporaries 2025 promises to be an inspiring celebration of Sri Lanka's emerging artistic talent, offering visitors the opportunity to discover new voices in contemporary art. The exhibition also supports the Foundation's ongoing mission to preserve and promote the nation's rich artistic heritage and continues the Foundation's 35-year legacy of nurturing artistic talent and providing platforms for creative expression.

The participating artists represent diverse backgrounds as well as artistic practices, from traditional painting and sculpture to experimental photography and multimedia installations, each bringing unique perspectives and artistic approaches to contemporary visual arts. Their works explore themes ranging from environmental issues and social commentary to personal identity and cultural heritage, reflecting the breadth of contemporary Sri Lankan artistic expression.

The selected artists are, Malinda Jayasinghe from Gampaha, Fatima Awrad and Bilaal Raji Saheed from Colombo, Chathushi Buddhika Premasiri from Kosgama, Catharina Danial from Jaffna, Ishara Madhuwanthi Hapangama from Bandarawela, Chalith Kalupahana from Wadduwa, Uditha Chirantha from Maharagama, Ponnaiyah Peter from Kilinochchi, Dishrath Seneviratne and Rajitha Perera from Kandy, and Sudarshi Ranabahu from Kurunegala.

The exhibition will feature a rich programme including artist-led walkthroughs and intimate conversations with participating artists, providing visitors with deeper insights into the creative processes and inspirations behind the works. These interactive elements highlight The George Keyt Foundation's mission to create meaningful connections between artists and audiences.

A focus of Young Contemporaries 2025 will be the presentation of the ‘Young Contemporary 2025’ Award by The George Keyt Foundation, recognizing the artist with the most outstanding collection. The recognition continues the Foundation's tradition of celebrating artistic excellence and encouraging continued creative exploration.

"We are extremely pleased to present young contemporaries after an absence of a few years. It’s one of the most important platforms for the younger generation artists in Sri Lanka. The artists selected from an overwhelming number of applications have done an incredible job presenting a unique collection of their works. We look forward to having art aficionados and the public visit this exhibition. I appreciate our continued partnership with Nations Trust Bank for sponsorship of this exhibition and to Barefoot Gallery for hosting us.” commented Malaka Talwatte, Chairman of George Keyt Foundation.

Nations Trust Private Banking continues to extend their generous support towards The George Keyt Foundation as the sponsor of Young Contemporaries 2025. This partnership enables the Foundation to maintain a vital role in promoting artistic development and creating opportunities for emerging talent.

The George Keyt Foundation has remained at the forefront of Sri Lanka's cultural landscape for 35 years, organizing exhibitions, events, and annual programs including 'Sri Lankan Art,' 'Kala Pola,' and charity auction conducted by Sotheby’s International.

Through these initiatives, the Foundation provides crucial opportunities for local artists to develop their craft, showcase their work, and connect with other artists.

Established in 1991, Young Contemporaries has served as a vital launchpad for artists under 35, creating opportunities for emerging talent to connect with art enthusiasts, collectors, and creative community. The exhibition demonstrates the George Keyt Foundation's steadfast commitment to nurturing contemporary artistic expression and sustaining a culture that values creativity and innovation.

The exhibition is open to the public from September 25-28, 2025, at Barefoot Gallery, Galle Road, Colombo 03, from 10 AM to 6:30 PM daily.