Biography

George Percival Sproule Keyt was a prominent Sri Lankan painter, born on April 17, 1901, and passed away on July 31, 1993. He is widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka's most distinguished modern painters. Keyt's work is primarily influenced by cubism, and he drew inspiration from the works of Henri Matisse as well as ancient Buddhist art and sculpture from regions such as Nagarjunakonda, Sanchi, and Gandhara. His paintings often explore themes from the Jataka tales, which are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. In addition to his painting, Keyt was also a poet and contributed to literature by translating the Gita Govinda into English and Sinhalese, accompanied by his own line drawings. His involvement with the '43 Group, a collective of modern artists in Sri Lanka, marked a significant shift in the country's art scene, integrating European modernist trends with local traditions. Keyt's work is celebrated for its vibrant use of color and form, and his ability to blend modernist techniques with traditional Sri Lankan themes has made his art highly collectible and influential in both national and international art circles.