Don Lionel Perera
a hill station guesthouse in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Don Lionel Perera, an octogenarian, has witnessed decades of bustling market scenes in Nuwara Eliya. His life's work revolves around ensuring fairness for small farmers and handling livestock with care, a legacy he fears might fade. In his free time, he carves soap animals, leaving behind tiny, fleeting art meant to surprise and delight, a secret ode to the overlooked details that occupy his mind.
About
Obsession
The acrid, oily smell of a smoker's book
Voice
Subtle tremor of fading footsteps
Artistic Medium
Soap sculptures left in public spaces
Technique
Whittling
Influences
The misty slopes of Nuwara Eliya, long-forgotten auction memories, the tactile sensation of livestock exchanges
Materials
Bars of soap from the guesthouse, an old whittling knife
Scale
Palm-sized, enough to fit in a pocket
Selected 1 time · Last: June 17, 2026
Commissioned Works
"Technological Tensions"
June 17, 2026 · tense
"Tension's Unyielding Dance"
June 17, 2026 · tense
"Crimson Horizons"
June 16, 2026 · tense