• BFA            Painting             2000    Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya
• PG Dip.      Archaeology       2002    PGIAR, University of Kelaniya
• MA            Archaeology        2007    PGIAR, University of Kelaniya
• MPhil          Arthistory          2014    PGIAR, University of Kelaniya

Prasanna Ranabahu is a senior lecturer for history and theory of art history at Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology and obtained BFA in Painting from the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, an MA in Archaeology and an MPhil in Art History (2013) from the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya. He is currently reading for PhD in Art History at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, where Ranabahu is focusing on Buddhist murals of the early 20^th century in the Western province, Sri Lanka. He has been interested in subjects such as History of Art History and Theory of Art History, Heritage Management, Heritage Activities, Painting Conservation, Modernity and Modernism in Art, Nationalism and Colonialism in Art and Art History. Currently, my research interests focus on pre-modern Buddhist art in South, Southeast and East Asia in general and Sri Lanka in particular. Ranabahu is a member of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeology, ICOMAS Sri Lanka and the Theertha International Artists’ Collective.

• 2018, Participated in the workshop on ‘A Scientific Approach for Painting Conservation in Sri Lanka’, organized by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology of Kelaniya University in collaboration with the Central Cultural Fund and Department of Microbiology of University of Kelaniya, held at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo.

• 2018, Workshop on Terms in Art History, conducted by Prof. Janice Leoshko (University of Texas) and Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe (PGIAR) Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo 07.

• 2017, Workshop on Art History: Modernism, Modernization and Modernity, in Art of Sri Lanka, conducted by Prof. Janice Leoshko (University of Texas) and Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe (PGIAR) Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo 07.

• 2016, Workshop on Art History: Looking closely at the status of Sri Lankan art historical studies and training in art history, conducted by Prof. Janice Leoshko (University of Texas) and Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe (PGIAR) Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo 07.

• 2016, Completed staff development program for probationary lecturers held by University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

• 2021 to date, Co-Principal lecturer: Course unit of Themes and theories of contemporary archaeology, anthropology and art history in the MA in Archaeology and Art history, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2021 to date, Course coordinator: The Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2021 to date, Co-Principal lecturer: Course unit of Art and Architecture in South Asia in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2020 to date, Co-Principal lecturer: Course units of Art and Architecture in South Asia, Asia and Africa and the Mediterranean region to Renaissance in the Postgraduate Diploma in Art history, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2020 to date, Core-subject editor to art education syllabus goes under the newly proposed undergraduate curriculum of National College of Education.

• 2019 to date, Course coordinator: The Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2019 to date, Principal lecturer: Course unit of Art and Architecture in South Asia in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer: History of Art History and Theory of Art History, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015 to date, Course coordinator: Certificate Course in the Conservation of Cultural Property, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015 to date, Course coordinator: Certificate Course in the History of World Art History, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015 to date, Principal lecturer: The Exhibition Planning and Design, Diploma course in Museology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology

• 2015 to date, Editorial member: The School Teachers Guiding Hand-Book for art and art history, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2015 to date, Committee member: New syllabus revision committee for art and art history, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2015 to date, Committee member: Board of Studies in the National Craft Council, Pelawatte.

• 2015 to date, Member, Panel of Judges: Annual All Island Craft competition held by National Craft Council, Pelawatte.

• 2021 to date, Lecturer- Prehistoric art in Sri Lanka, Pre-modern art history of Sri Lanka, Styles of art tradition in pre-modern Sri Lanka, Diploma course in Tourism, conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2020 to date, Lecturer – What is Heritage, Certificate Course in Archaeology, conducted at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2018 to date, Lecturer - Art and Architecture in Pre-modern Sri Lanka, Certificate Course in Archaeology, conducted at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2018 to date, Lecturer - Heritage Management, Certificate Course in Archaeology, conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer - Art and Architecture in South Asia, Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer – Museology, conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer - Certificate Course in the Conservation of Cultural Property, conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2015 to date, Visiting Lecturer - Prehistory, Postgraduate Diploma in Paleobiodiversity, conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer - Art and Architecture in South Asia, Certificate Course in Art History conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer - Modern art in the Western World, Certificate Course in Art History conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

• 2019 to date, Lecturer - History of Art in Europe and Sri Lanka, HND Film-Making, Sri Lanka Film School, Foundation Institute of Sri Lanka.

• 2019 to date, Lecturer - History of Modern Art in Europe, South India and Sri Lanka, Theertha School of Art, Beddagana, Pita-Kotte, Sri Lanka.

• 2015 to date, Lecturer – History of sculpture in modern Europe, Department of Sculpture, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo.

• 2015 – 2018, Lecturer - Art History, Department of Print Making, University of Visual and Performing Art, Colombo.

• 2020-2021, Course coordinator - The Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology

• 2021, Principal Lecturer-Course unit of Art and Architecture in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2020, Principal Lecturer-Course unit of Asia and Africa, World Art: Mediterranean region and Europe in the Postgraduate Diploma in Art history, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2020, Principal Lecturer-Course unit of Art and Architecture in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2018-2019,      Course coordinator - The Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2018-2019, Principal Lecturer-Course unit of Art and Architecture in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2016-2017, Principal Lecturer-Course unit of Art and Architecture in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015-2016, Principal Lecturer-Course unit of Art and Architecture in the Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015,   Course coordinator -The Certificate Course in the Conservation of Cultural Property, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015 to date,   Course coordinator - The Certificate Course in the History of World Art, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2015 to date,   Principal lecturer - Exhibition Planning and Design, Diploma course in Museology, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2020, Art and art history education syllabus goes under the newly proposed undergraduate curriculum of the National College of Education.

• 2018/19, The Certificate Course in the History of World Art, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2019/20, History of Art in Europe and Sri Lanka, HND Film-Making, Sri Lanka Film School, Foundation Institute of Sri Lanka.

• 2019, New Syllabus of Art Education (National Grid for School Art Education) for 2019-2029, conducted by Department of Aesthetics, at National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2018, Thirteen Plus education program for Vocational and Applied Art subjects (Module of Design /Vocational and Applied Art), conducted by Department of Mathematics, National Institute of Education, Maharagama

• 2021 to date, an approach to studying plan for history and theory of art history. This is two-year research on the history of historiographies of art history. Say on the other hand, it is about studying methodologies of art history, since in its beginnings. As we know, the basic meaning of the history of art history is the study of works of art. Its methodical practice goes back to the mid 18^th century. Since then, art history practices have been taken light of many different steams such as Formalist approach, Stylistic approach, Marxist approach, Psychoanalytical approach, Structuralist approach, and Post-structuralist approach. So, by this study that I am going to research the developing pathways of history and theory of art history is considering its main figures and their philosophical interventions.

• 2021 to date,   Painted images of woman: An Art History based Analysis of selected Murals of Western Province (Gampaha, Colombo and Kalutara districts) of Sri Lanka.

• 2020 to date, Emergence of modern female subjectivity: An Art History based Analysis of selected Murals of Western Province (Gampaha, Colombo and Kalutara districts) of Sri Lanka.

• 2019 to date, Emergence of modernism in art of Sri Lanka: An Art history-based analysis of Buddhist Murals by M. Sarlis in the Western (Gampaha, Colombo and Kalutara districts) province of Sri Lanka  

ARTICLE (Journal)

• 2021   Renaissance and the dawn of modernity, (ed) Pathegama Gnaneeswara thero and et al., Kala Sangarawa, Department of cultural affairs, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

BOOKS

• 2016    Traditions and Theories of Art Historiography in Sri Lanka, (ed) Sasanka Perera et al., Theertha Publications, Sri Lanka.

MONOGRAPHS (academic)

• 2018    A comprehensive art-historical survey on Bemmulla (Sri Vardhana Mulamaha Viharaya) Buddhist Temple in the Gampaha district, Sri Lanka = Memoirs of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2018    Pigment set of artists in the transitional period in Sri Lanka, co-authored with Arjuna Tantilage et al., Memoirs of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2017    Blue color in Kandyan Murals; an expression of Political and economic revolt in Kandyan society, co-authored with Arjuna Tantilage et al. - Memoirs of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

Research Essays Publications in Art History/Books and Journals

• 2012, Story of Dhal and Anion (Book Art) Sethusamudram Art History Residency Program, the program focused on the conceptual link between Sri Lanka and India, at 1 Shanthroad Studio, Shanthi Nagar, Bangalore.

• 2011, When was modernism in Sri Lanka, Theertha Art History Anthology (ed) Prasanna Ranabahu, Theertha Publications, Sri Lanka.

• 2011, Art Historical Reading on the mural painting of war between Dutu Gamunu and Elara at 2^nd Cave in Dambulla Temple, Theertha Art History Anthology (ed), Prasanna Ranabahu, Theertha Publications, Sri Lanka.

• 2009, Representation of Woman in Traditional Mural Paintings of Sri Lanka, Artlab, (ed) Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe etal, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

• 2009, Depiction of Violence of Sri Lankan Art from Anuradhapura to Colombo (5^th Century to 20^th Century), Theertha Annual memo publication, (ed) Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe etal, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

• 2005, Political Meanings of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe's Murals, Artlab, (ed) Prof. Jagath Werasinghe etal, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

Editor / Editorial Member for Art History Journals and Monographs

• 2011 to date editor of Theertha Anthology of Art History on Traditional, Modern and Contemporary Art, Theertha International Artist’s Collective, Pitakotte.

• 2009 to date, Editorial member, ArtLab annual journal, (Art and Heritage), Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Pitakotte.

• 2006-7, Editorial member, Theertha Art Monograph Series on Art History, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

Publications in Art History / Monographs                                                                

• 2006, 43 Group, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

• 2006, Ceylon Society of Arts, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

• 2006, Heywood Tradition, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

• 2006, 90's Trend, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

• 2006, Modern Indian Art, Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

Publications in Contemporary Art and Artists (selected)

• 2021, Exhibition Catalogue write up on Art of Anusha Gajaweera; (In)complete Flowers, organized by Theertha RedDot Gallery, Borella. 

• 2011, Exhibition Catalogue essay on New Media Art, Organized by Theertha International Artist’s Collective, Pitakotte.

• 2010, Exhibition Catalogue essay on Art of Sarath Kumarasiri, (Curated by Prasanna Ranabahu and Pradeep Chandrasiri) Organized by Theertha International Artist’s Collective, Pitakotte.

• 2009, Exhibition Catalogue essay on Art of Bandu manamperi, (Curated by Prasanna Ranabahu and Pradeep Chandrasiri) Organized by Theertha International Artist’s Collective, Pitakotte.

• 2009, Exhibition Catalogue essay on Art of Koralegedara Puspakumara, (Curated by Prasanna Ranabahu and Pradeep Chandrasiri) Organized by Theertha International Artist’s Collective, Pitakotte.

• 2008, Cover page featured write-up on Pala Pothupitiya, Rala, (ed), Chintaka Uyangoda and etal, Rala, Artists’ Organization, Matara.

• 2007, Cover page-featured write-up on Anura Krishantha, Rala,  (ed), Chintaka Uyangoda and etal, Rala Artists’ Organization, Matara.

• 2007, Cover page-featured write-up on Seevali Ilangasighe, Nadee,  (ed),  Lasantha Chandana Kumara and etal, Nadee Artists’ Organization, Dehiattakandiya.

Publications in traditional and contemporary art/Newspapers 

• 2010, Representation of Woman in Traditional Mural Paintings of Sri Lanka, Siyatha weekend newspaper (as a four-part series), (ed) by Tilaka Rathna Kuruvita Bandara.

• 2010, Art of Sarath Kumarasiri, Divaina Newspaper

• 2009, Art of Bandu manamperi, Rawaya Newspaper

• 2009, Art of Bandu manamperi, Divaina Newspaper

• 2009, Art of Koralegedara Puspakumara, Rawaya Newspaper

• 2009, Art of Koralegedara Puspakumara, Divaina Newspaper

CATALOGUES (School art exhibition)

• 2016,   20^th century modern art in Sri Lanka, Neetthravee, exhibition catalogue, W/K/ Bauddhaloka Maha Vidyalaya, Kalutara.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATIONS

• 2019 March 03: Art historical approach of Senake Bandaranayake, Strengthening synthesis for better understanding of archaeology of Sri Lanka: Prof. Senake Bandaranayke commemorative conference, at Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

• 2019    The Days We Screamed, Selected Works from Contemporary Artists in Sri Lanka, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, at RedDot Gallery, Colombo 08.

• 2019    Contemporary Sri Lankan Art Cross-Section, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, The Iranian Cultural Centre, Colombo.

• 2014, Sethusamudram, Sethu-Book Art Project Exhibiton, Curated by Suresh Jayaram     and     Jagath Weerasinghe, @ Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Borella, Colombo 08.

• 2013, WarPeace: Visual Narratives from Postwar Sri Lanka, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe and Sujatha Meegama, at Lionel Wendt gallery, Colombo 07.

• 2012, Theertha Exhibition @1 Shanthi Road, curated by Suresh Jayram, at I Shanthi rosd   gallery, Bangalore, India.

• 2011, Theertha Exhibition @1 Shanthi Road, curated by Suresh Jayram, at I Shanthi rosd   gallery, Bangalore, India.

• 2010, Theertha Exhibition @1 Shanthi Road, curated by Suresh Jayram, ar I Shanthi rosd   gallery, Bangalore, India.

• 2010, Visual Responses During the War: Selected Works of Artists, Curated by Chandragupta Thenuwara, at the Lionel Wendt and Harold Pieris Gallery, Colombo.

• 2009, Imagining Pease, 1^st Colombo Art Biennale, Colombo. Curated by Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe and Annoushka Hempel.

• 2008, Artful Resistance (crisis and creativity in Sri Lanka) travel Exhibition in Europe. Curated by Sylvia S. Kaspryki and Museum Fϋr Volkerkunde Wien, Austria.

• 2007, Images of Globalization, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, at National Art Gallery, Colombo.

• 2007, "Arte Curioso" An exhibition on art as curious object, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, at Theertha Red Dot Gallery, Baddagana.

• 2004, Urban and the Individual, an Exhibition of Art Work, a Theertha Exhibition at Finomenal space Gallery, Colombo.

• 2004, Aham Puram, Exhibition, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, Public Library, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

• 2004, An Exhibition of Contemporary Sri Lankan Art, German Development Cooperation GTZ Office, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

• 2000, Made in IAS, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, Star fort, Matara, Sri Lanka.

• 2000, Made in IAS, Curated by Jagath Weerasinghe, 706 Gallery, Colombo.

Visual Art Workshops and Residencies

• 2012, Sethusamudram Contemporary Art Residency Program, at 1 Shanthroad Studio, Shanthi Nagar, Bangalore.

• 2010, Theertha International Artist’s Workshop, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

• 2010, Theertha Art Residency (highlighting New Media and New Technology Art) Program, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

• 2006, Sutra Visual Art Residency Program, (March/April), Bhakthapur, Nepal.

• 2003, Craft Workshop (focusing on globalization and post-colonial art history), organized by Theertha International Artist’s Colective, Manampitiya, Sri Lanka.

• 2002, Peace Train Project, Organized by Vibavi Academy of Fine Arts, Ethul Kotte, Sri Lanka.

• 2000, Workshop with Australian Artist Sue Pedly, Lunuganga Gardens, Bentota, Sri Lanka.

Curated Contemporary Art Exhibitions

• 2013, Assistant Curator under the chief curators of Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe and Assistant Prof. Sujatha Meegama for Exhibition of WarPeace: Visual Narratives from Postwar Sri Lanka, at Lionel Wendt gallery, Colombo 07.

• 2010 to 2012, Researcher for Sethu Samuddram Community Art Project. This Project based on History of Human Geography of Colombo. The project Organized by Theertha International Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka and 1 Shanthi Road Studio in Shanthinagar, Bangalore, South India.

• 2010, Curator for Art of Sarath Kumarasiri  Exhibition (Theertha Pradarshana Wasantaya 2009) at Theertha Red Dot Gallery.

• 2009, Curator for Art of Koralegedara Puspakumara  Exhibition (Theertha Pradarshana Wasantaya 2009) at Theertha Red Dot Gallery.

• 2009, Curator for Art of Bandu Manamperi Exhibition (Theertha Pradarshana Wasantaya 2009) at Theertha Red Dot Gallery.

• 2007, Art Manager for 4^th Theertha International Artist’s Workshop at Ratnasiri Wickramanayake Memorial Training Center in Hantana, Kandy.

• 2005, Curatorial panel member under chief curator Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe, for “Sri Lankan Visual Art, 20^th Century” traveling Exhibition, Organized by Theertha Artists’ Collective, Sri Lanka.

Art History Workshops and Residencies (selected)

• 2012, Sethusamudram Art History Residency Program, the program focused on conceptual link between Sri Lanka and India, at 1 Shanthroad Studio, Shanthi Nagar, Bangalore.

• 2011, Workshop on Art History: Buddhist Iconography, conducted by Dr. Nandana Chutiwongs (former senior lecturer university of Amsterdam, Rtd, curator of south and mainland south east Asia, national museum of ethnology, Leiden) at the Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo 07.

• 2011, Workshop on Art History: Sri Lanka and Burma in the wider world, conducted by Dr. Donald Stadner (former associate professor, University of Texas, Austrian) at the Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo 07.

• 2020, Member of the screening committee for selection of new students at National Craft Council, Pasyala.

• 2020, Core-subject editor to art education syllabus goes under the newly proposed under graduate curriculum of National Collage of Education.

• 2019,   Consultant - new Syllabus of Art Education (National Grid for School Art Education) for 2019-2029, conducted by Department of Aesthetics, at National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2018, Consultant - Thirteen Plus education program for Vocational and Applied Art subjects (Module of Design /Vocational and Applied Art), conducted by Department of Mathematics, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2015 to date,   Consultant – Revision, School art syllabus (ordinary and advanced level) including Teachers guide books, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2015 to date,   Member, editorial board - Teachers guide books, Art syllabus (O/L and A/L) conducted by Department of Aesthetics, National Institute of Education, Maharagama.

• 2015 to 2019,  Member, editorial board, Syllabus revisioning committee, National Craft Council, Pelawatte.

• 2015 to date,   Member, Panel of Judges – Annual All Island State Craft competition, organized by National Craft Council, Pelawatte.