Art and jewellery with a modern twist— these are unique creations of beadwork artist Sharmini Wirasekara.

Each stunning work of art takes weeks of meticulous planning and research. Her pieces are made with a special type of glass bead, which result in a flat, or three-dimensional, fabric-like patterned surface where every square inch contains nearly three hundred beads. Through her work, Sharmini seeks to raise the appreciation of contemporary beadwork, cultivating an awareness of this recently internationally recognized visual art form that has traditions dating back millennia. Her work is held in permanent collections, including the Museum of Arts and Design, NYC, and other private collections. Sharmini currently lives in Vancouver, Canada and London, UK.

Glass beads used in contemporary bead design art

Selected Works

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Interested in learning more about beadwork and the bead work process. Read how master beadwork artist, Sharmini Wirasekara begins and finishes her art process.

The Process

Interplay of light and glass, technique and inspiration.

Sharmini spends countless hours exploring new ideas and experimenting with various techniques during the weaving process. She utilizes beads of differing densities, colour and opacity to create stunning, shimmering effects. Intricate and ornate, her sculptural conceptions captivate the viewer’s eye, taking them on a journey through history and memory, dreams and visions.

Featured in galleries and exhibitions from New York, London, and around the globe. Get a glimpse into Sharmini Wirasekara, master beadwork artist, exhibitions and featured media.

MEDIA

Sharmini has exhibited her sculptural beadwork worldwide and has been featured in many prominent beadwork publications.

Sharmini's one-of-a-kind work, which is both wearable, ornamental, or sometimes both, have been featured in books like Showcase500 Art Necklaces, Bead and Button magazine, Masters: Beadweaving and more.

Artist Statement by sharmini Wiresekara.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My life as a full-time artist began in 1991 when I gave up a 12-year career as an accountant

I enrolled in a textile arts porgram offered at a nearby college. After completion, I worked mainly in hand-painted silks, while experimenting with various other forms of arts. It was in 1997 that I was introduced to peyote stich, an off-loom-bead weaving technique. Since then, I found my passion, and have been designing and creating sculptural designs that live in the space between functional and ornamental.