Women at Leisure | Ama Liyanage

"Women at Leisure is a series of watercolor paintings that captures the joy of rediscovering my love for painting after several years. Each piece contains many subtle references to explore. Whether laughing uncontrollably or having somber conversation, connections built around family and friends over a cup of warm tea are some of my fondest experiences. Women at Leisure II celebrates these moments. In the series I have imagined scenes of women of colour inhabiting spaces they are not historically represented. Additionally, I hope to represent rest and relaxation without being tied to past or future productivity. Amid the challenges of everyday life that we all experience, it gives me joy to capture in paint moments of women existing and interacting freely with no expectations placed upon them."

About the Artist

Ama Liyanage was born in Sri Lanka and currently lives and works in Kitchener, Ontario. She is a self taught artist who has been honing her skills in watercolor and printmaking for the past several years. She creates whimsical characters and worlds often inspired by childhood memories and the small mundane pleasures of everyday life. As an avid jigsaw puzzle lover, she enjoys hiding within her paintings details that sometimes connect them to one another. She would be delighted if discerning viewers can find the tiny painted details in her artwork which tell a story or find humor in others like ‘Ode to Marmite’. One of the most unexpected yet meaningful parts of her art journey has been the connections she has made with the vibrant art community in Kitchener-Waterloo, as well as the city itself.

Available Work

Women at Leisure VI

22" x 30", Watercolour on Arches Hot Press Paper (Framed)

2023

$1250

Women at Leisure II

22" x 30", Watercolour on Arches Hot Press Paper (Framed)

2023

$1050

Women at Leisure V

12" x 16", Watercolour on Arches Hot Press Paper (Framed)

2023