Art & Architecture
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Port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$139.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Sri Lanka is home to many forms of art. Today you will break with tradition and sneak a peek at the very topical contemporary art scene, which came into its own in the early 1900s. The country's colorful and turbulent past is often portrayed through the emotive forms of sculpture, painting and even the performance arts.
Step off the bustling streets, where ox-drawn carts are still seen, and into a well-known gallery -- an interesting visit that will tantalize and stimulate you.
Delve into the world of Sri Lanka's most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa, often referred to as the father of Tropical Modernism. Visit Bawa's private residence to learn about his many accomplishments. This architectural treasure is a masterpiece of bricolage -- a culmination of creative sculpting by its owner, where countless verandahs, gardens, courtyards and rooms meld together.
Stop for lunch at the Gallery Café.
Barefoot began more than 40 years ago and is the pioneering shop set up by artist and writer Barbara Sansoni in the 1980s. It features a fantastic courtyard gallery where the products are handmade and the natural yarns used have been dyed and woven by hand. All the materials, including dyes, are safe and eco-friendly. Barbara Sansoni was initially invited to design cloth for women learning to weave in a convent workshop north of Colombo; today the company she founded has a small team of dedicated designers who work with their own dyers, weavers and skilled needlewomen.