About Neil Ratnavira

California based Neil Ratnavira, an abstract expressionist artist, designer and photographer, was born on August 7, 1978 in Colombo, Sri Lanka to a rich heritage of a very renowned family of artists, photographers, gemologists and jewelry designers. His father is Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife artist, conservationist and jewelry designer, living in California. 

Neil was an only child, he was brought up in Sri Lanka by his single mother and grand-mother in a country torn apart by civil war.  The early years of his life, schooling was intermittent and life constantly interrupted by curfews, exploding car bombs, buses and buildings set on fire. 

To get away from these horrors, his mother moved with him to Paris, France. Arriving there as a child, not speaking a word of French was one of the most difficult challenges Neil faced.  However, Neil is a fighter, he does not give up so in spite of the cultural shocks, economic hardships and difficulties of social integration, Neil spoke the language of ART and was successfully accepted into a sought after Art Institute of Paris, where he got his BA in Graphic design & Art. 

Neil grew up initially in Sri Lanka, thereafter, France and the USA. Neil has exhibited his work in London, Paris, San Diego and Los Angeles.

Art and design is his driving force and reason to be. He often says “if I did not paint or take pictures, I don’t feel like I am alive”. Neil has been a car enthusiast from an early age. He was responsible for creating the original hand painted Art Cars for Lotus. He loves technology, film, sports, sports cars, art, music and travel. 

Neil expresses himself and his inner feelings via his pictures, designs, his canvases and the textures of paint and behind the wheel of a car. He is a self-taught artist whose style has evolved over the years. His family heritage, his artist and gemologist parents and the different cultures and countries Neil has lived in influences his work.. he has his own unmistakeable style and distinctive look. 

Neil is very appreciative of his extended family and his mum Moni, step dad John, father Gamini, step mum Lisa for all the support and caring they show him. He wants to share his talents and work with the world.