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A Sanctuary of Art and Culture at Boutique 87

Boutique 87 is more than a luxury retreat—it is a living gallery where art, history, and nature intertwine. Through a curated selection of exhibitions, the villa showcases a dynamic blend of contemporary and classical works, celebrating themes of mythology, heritage, and the natural world. Each exhibition is thoughtfully integrated into the estate’s architecture and lush surroundings, transforming Boutique 87 into an immersive cultural experience where every visit offers a new perspective on artistic expression.

Nandi Artwork

The Spirit of Nandi: A Force Reimagined

This season, Boutique 87 unveils Nandi and the Gardens—a bold, immersive exhibition that intertwines art, mythology, and landscape in a seamless homage to strength, reverence, and natural harmony. At its core is Nandi, the sacred bull, reimagined beyond his traditional role as Shiva’s devoted gatekeeper. Here, he emerges not as a mere guardian, but as a boisterous force—majestic, unrelenting, and commanding in presence.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is an arresting portrait of Nandi, painted in the classical European tradition yet imbued with an undeniable dynamism. His gaze—piercing, almost knowing—seems to challenge and invite in equal measure, an embodiment of power and protection. The technique, reminiscent of the old masters, lends a haunting realism to his form, making him feel both ancient and alive.

Sinhagiri in Nuwara Eliya

Sculptures of Fortune and Time

Beyond the portrait, Nandi and the Gardens brings together a collection of sculptures that speak to the reverence and mysticism surrounding the sacred bull across time and cultures. Among them stands the Lucky Senanayake Bull, a striking local interpretation of fortune and endurance, sculpted with exaggerated features that exude charisma and playfulness. Alongside it, a Bronze Era Cow, sourced from a private collection, adds a sense of antiquity, grounding the exhibition in the weight of history.

Garden as a living canvas

The Garden as a Living Canvas

Yet, what makes this exhibition unique is not just the art within the walls of Boutique 87, but the setting itself. Geoffrey Bawa’s gardens—an enduring masterpiece of tropical modernism—become part of the curation, working in tandem with Nandi’s untamed energy. The estate’s sprawling greenery, framed pathways, and sudden openings to wild, organic landscapes mirror the duality of Nandi—controlled yet unrestrained, architectural yet natural. This is not merely an exhibition of objects; it is an interplay of space, force, and philosophy.

Kimono

Exhibition Premiere and Permanent Collection

Nandi and the Gardens will premiere in the first week of April (exact date to be announced), marking the beginning of its place as a permanent collection within Boutique 87. This ensures that visitors, whether arriving in its debut season or years later, will always find themselves in the presence of Nandi’s indomitable spirit, standing as both a guardian of the villa and a testament to the unbreakable bond between art and nature.