Dorothy Fernando

Dorothy Fernando
Born
Dorothy Dias

(1907-09-18)September 18, 1907
Panadura
Died1981 (aged 73–74)
Spouse
Cyril Fernando
​
(died 1955)​

Dorothy Fernando (née Dias; 18 September 1907 – 1981)[1] was a Sri Lankan painter.

Early life

Dorothy Dias was born in Panadura.[1][2] She grew up in Colombo with her conservative parents. She studied at Bishop's College in Colombo and Malvern Girls College in the United Kingdom.[1] In her late teens, she pursued her interest in painting and nature in defiance of her father's wishes.[1][3]

Career

Fernando became a member of the Ceylon Social Service League, running a sewing school for underprivileged girls for several years.[1] She developed her watercolour painting technique while illustrating the country's indigenous orchids for her brother-in-law Ernest Zoysa.[1][3]

Fernando travelled during the 1940s, collecting and painting wildflowers. She eventually published a book titled Wildflowers of Ceylon in England in 1954.[2]

Personal life

Dias married Cyril Fernando, who became one of Sri Lanka's most prominent physicians.[when?] They had four children. Cyril died in 1955.[1]

Fernando died in 1981 while preparing for her third exhibition.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Free-spirited as a wild flower". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). September 23, 2007. Archived from the original on 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  2. ^ a b "Pioneering work of art and knowledge". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 18 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  3. ^ a b "Bringing back the blooms". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2024-03-24.