Phoenix Art Museum is about to give Phoenix art lovers a brand-new window into one of the world’s most vibrant artistic traditions. On November 13, 2026, the museum will open Pala Pothupitiye: Mapping a Sri Lankan Consciousness, the inaugural exhibition of the new Nagendran Wing for the Art of Asia.
The exhibition celebrates acclaimed contemporary artist Pala Pothupitiye, whose work draws on the rich visual, cultural, and mythological heritage of Sri Lanka. At the heart of the show are his celebrated cartographic paintings, in which maps of the island nation become sweeping canvases filled with imagination, history, and storytelling.
Visitors will also discover a second body of work inspired by the ritual dance community the artist was born into, revealing the beauty and artistry of traditions passed down through generations. Together, the pieces trace how Sri Lankan culture has endured, adapted, and reimagined itself across centuries.
Curated by Tushara Bindu Gude, the exhibition marks an exciting new chapter for the museum, cementing Phoenix’s place as a rising center of Asian art and cultural exchange. It will be on view in the Nagendran Wing, made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Sukumar Nagendran, and is included with museum admission.
Mark your calendars and come experience Sri Lanka’s creative spirit — right here in the Valley of the Sun.
Photo: Katie Jones-Weinert / Phoenix Art Museum
