Nilmini Bandara is a Sri Lankan Nihonga artist working in Tokyo, Japan. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts(Major Graphic Design)at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, Sri Lanka (2014-2018). She completed her Master of Arts (specialized Japanese style paintings) at the University of SOJO in Kumamoto, Japan (2020-2022). Nihonga is Nilmini’s addictive painting style, and she researched, and practiced the Nihonga technique during her master’s degree. Nihonga is the process that works on a natural method.She received awards from many Japanese exhibitions since she moved to Japan. Soon after completing her Master’s Degree, she joined the Yume1 production Company in Japan as an Artist. It was an incredible journey for her with valuable experiences, and her fundamental discoveries there inspired and drove her to continue her professional life in Japan. Later, she ventured into the realm of painting conservation at Disney Land Tokyo, adding another dimension to her artistic career.

Nilmini was initially inspired to include lotus flowers in her paintings. but later added seasonal blossoms such as Sakura, Iris, Peonies, and Poppies etc. She dreams of seeing the blooming flowers of Sri Lanka and Japan in the same painting layer.In the process,one observes the nature of Sri Lanka As well as the nature of Japan and inspires the beauty and wonder of that living environment. The exploration and observation were then transformed into sketches and drawings. Since Nihonga is not only a painting but also a cultural association.

The lotus Flower,bud and lakes which are familiar from her childhood are forever etched in her memory. Because of the lake Digin which is located in front of her house has always memorized as a child. Also filled with lotus flowers throughout the year in Sri Lanka.She feels nostalgic when remember the fragrance of lotus flowers the smell of mud and the taste of the lotus seeds. It is the childhood experience that became the fundamental idea behind her art.She aims to express the space of the entire work as an environment blessed with flowers and to finish the work so that the viewer can feel the good fragrance drifting from it.Also made and effort to express and present the flowers,so that viewers can see them in the work and feel them in their hearts.

ニルミニ・バンダラはスリランカ生まれの日本画家であり東京で活躍するアーティスト。
母国スリランカ、コロンボのビジュアルパフォミングアート大学にてグラフィックデザインを専攻。
その後は熊本崇城大学大学院芸術研究科にて日本画を学ぶ。
大学在学時に技法を研究した日本画をもとに中毒性のあるアートスタイルを確立。以来、日本の展示会で数々の賞を受賞。大学にて修士号取得後はYume1合同会社 に入社しアーティストとして活躍した。

主に蓮の花からインスピレーションを受け、その他サクラ、アイリス、シャクヤク、ポピーなど、日本の季節に数日しか咲かないさまざまな花をアートに取り入れる。スリランカと日本の花が同じ画面の上で咲くのを見ることを常に夢見ており新しいもの、日本画と日本文化のつながりを実感したいという強い思いを常に持ちアート活動に取り組んでいる。