Oohana Studio is an independent curatorial platform founded by artist and curator Nilmini Bandara in 2022. Based in Sri Lanka and active across Japan and Ireland, we support artists through exhibitions, collaborations, learning programs, and long-term representation.
Born from a cross-cultural practice rooted in Sri Lankan and Japanese traditions, Oohana is a space where craft, culture, and conversation are nurtured with care. We connect people, places, and practices, across disciplines and generations, through the slow, sustaining work of art.
Our Vision
At Oohana, we believe art is not a luxury, but a shared language, of memory, of feeling, of form.
We focus on transnational encounters that value depth over display:
Exhibitions that linger
Workshops that inspire
Relationships that endure
Our work often bridges traditional and contemporary forms, creating space for artists at all stages, from senior masters to emerging voices, to grow, exchange, and evolve together.
Our Commitment
We are especially committed to
the next generation of Sri Lankan artists. In a landscape where access to
global art is often limited, we strive to make it tangible, placing real
artworks, materials, and conversations directly in front of students.
So that pigment isn’t just seen,but touched.
So that techniques aren’t just archived, but passed on.
So that art feels living, local, and within reach.
Through thoughtful curation,
cross-cultural dialogue, and artist representation, Oohana Studio strives to foster
conditions where art can take root.
Our Team
Nilmini Bandara
Founder & Artistic Director
Nilmini Bandara is a Sri Lankan artist and founder of oohana studio working between Sri Lanka and Japan. Trained in Nihonga and grounded in Asian visual traditions, she leads Oohana Studio’s artistic vision with a focus on long-term artistic relationships, cultural continuity, and serious craft.
Suranjana Bandara
Owner & Managing Director
Suranjana Bandara oversees Oohana Studio’s strategic direction, partnerships, and operations. With longstanding engagement in the arts, he brings clarity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity to every project and collaboration.
Rasika Edirisinghe
Outreach Manager
Based in Ireland, Rasika Edirisinghe leads Oohana Studio’s outreach across Europe, managing partnerships, communications, and curatorial and artistic coordination. As the studio’s primary representative in the region, he facilitates meaningful connections between artists, institutions, and audiences.