Mr. W. P. Deepthi Kumar

Mr. W. P. Deepthi Kumar

Head - Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design | Senior Lecturer (Grade II)

Faculty of Visual Arts
Department of Multi Disciplinary Design

Interests:

“My research and professional interests include the history of art and design, Human-Centered Design, and Human Factors, alongside Sri Lankan decorative arts, craft design, and heritage activities. I am also interested in Modernism and its influence on design, as well as the impact of nationalism and colonialism on art and design history. My MPhil research focused on an Art Historical Study of the Design and Use of preserved Oil Lamps from the Kandyan Period, and I continue to follow the evolution of oil lamp design across South Asia, with a specific focus on Sri Lanka. Currently, my research explores the interrelationship between the Design Grammar of Decorative Motifs and Buddhist Philosophical Concepts in the New Kelaniya Vihara.”

Career Objective:

“To secure a challenging academic position within a progressive university, leveraging my extensive background in Applied Arts and Multi-disciplinary Design. I aim to contribute to the department’s research excellence by integrating Sri Lankan heritage with contemporary design theory, while fostering an innovative learning environment through dedicated scholarship and professional practice.”

Current positions held:

  • Senior Lecturer in Department of multi-disciplinary Design, Faculty of Visual Arts. University of The Visual and Performing Arts. No.46, Horton Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
  • Head of the Department – Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design, Faculty of Visual Arts. University of The Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Co Senior Student councilor of Faculty of Visual Arts, University of The Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Student Advisor of Faculty of Visual Arts, University of The Visual and Performing Arts.
  • President of the Teachers welfare association of Faculty of visual art University of The Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Vice President of the Teachers association of Faculty of visual art University of The Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Chairperson of the Internal Intelligent Committee – Faculty of Visual art of the University of The Visual and Performing Arts.

Academic qualifications:

  • PhD (Candidate/Ongoing) Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
  • 2024 Master of Philosophy (University of Kelanya) An art historical study on the design and use of preserved oil lamps created during the Kandy period.
  • 2020 Completed certificate course in teaching in higher education (CTHE) University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
  • 2020: Successfully completed the short course on Research in Visual and Performing Arts, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • 2018: Attended the Seminar on “Academic Writing” conducted by Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • 2011 BFA (Honors, First Class) Degree in Multi-Disciplinary Design, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Scholarships:

  • 2010 B. Dhanapala Scholarship, awarded by the University of the visual and performing Arts.

Education and Training:

  • 2015 Followed the prescribed 1400-hour accelerated full time course of study of the “Sun Ray Institute of English Training” at Hambantota.
  • 2011 Successfully completed “Auto CAD 2D & 3D Design course” Conducted by Vocational Training Center at Dehiwala.
  • 2008 Participated the ” International Basketry Training Workshop” for artisans in the Giftware & Craft Industry- 2008 at the Folk Art Center, Battaramulla.
  • 2005 Successfully completed Desk Top Publishing Certificate course “INGEEN” Institute of Printing & Graphic, Colombo.

Professional Experience:

Academic Experience:

  • Served as a Visiting Lecturer for the Diploma in Ceramic Art and Design: Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), University of the Visual and Performing Arts. Conducting practical and theory sessions for the “Introduction to Ceramic Design” (DICD-11032 Module).(2025).
  • Resource Person as a Lecturer in Ceramic Design-related subjects: Department of Ceramic, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual and Performing Arts (2025).
  • Resource Person as an Internal Lecturer in Ceramic Design-related subjects: Department of Ceramic, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.(2024)
  • Served as a Visiting Lecturer for the Higher Certificate Course (ACCD 11034 Drawing and Design): Organized by the National Craft Council (NCC), Sri Lanka. (2024)
  • Resource Person for ICT Training: Conducted training sessions on Zoom video conferencing for students, academic staff, and administrative officers at the Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual and Performing Arts(2021).
  • Lecturer (Probationary/Permanent) | 2018 – Present Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual & Performing Arts.
  • Part-time Lecturer | 2014 – 2018 Apt Art Academy, Colombo.
  • Temporary Lecturer | 2013 – 2018 Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual & Performing Arts.
  • Temporary Instructor | 2010 – 2012 Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual & Performing Arts.

International Collaboration:

  • 2025: Appreciation for Contribution as a Referee – Logo Competition for the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand.
  • 2025: Contributed to strengthening international academic ties by playing a lead role in establishing the Tagore Indo-Asia Foundation for Creative Inquiry at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • 2025: South Asian Art Residency and Exhibition Commended by the Vice-Chancellor for providing expertise and guidance towards this international collaborative event.

Professional Design Projects:

  • 2025 Building Project: Proposed Design for the Tagore Indo-Asia Foundation for Creative Inquiry, Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design (Approved by UVPA Faculty Board Memo “180”).
  • 2021 Creative Fence Design Project: University of the Visual and Performing Arts, No. 21, Albert Crescent, Colombo 07.
  • 2020 Interior Design Project: Specialized interior design for the Dean’s Office and the Main Lecture Hall, Faculty of Music, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • 2019 Monument, Plaque, Gate, and Landscape Design: A collaborative project between the Road Development Authority (RDA) and the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Professional Appointments (Selected):

2026

  • Committee Member of the Evaluation Panel: PGIAR, University of Kelaniya.
  • Examiner of Master of Arts Degree in Archaeology: PGIAR, University of Kelaniya.
  • Resource Person: Bachelor of Education (Honours) Degree programme 2022/2025, National Institute of Education (NIE), Maharagama, Sri Lanka.

2025

  • Student Mentor: University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Faculty of Visual Arts.
  • Resource Person: “Arunodaya” programme, live recorded from VAFA Television channel of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Member of the Organizing Committee / “Action Committee”: Appointed for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the U.V.P.A. Contributing to the successful planning and execution of this milestone event.
  • Steering Committee Member: “Crafting Futures: Empowering 50 Craftsmen into Entrepreneurs” Programme of the National Craft Council – Sri Lanka.
  • Served as a Member of the Judging Panel: 43rd National Youth Awards in 2023, organized by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC), specifically for the Art, Sculpture, and Carvings competition category.
  • Member of the Panel of Judges: Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival 2025, a high-profile national event jointly organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Gangarama Temple.
  • External Examiner / Marker: National Institute of Education (NIE), Sri Lanka. Served as an Examiner for the B.Ed (Hons) Degree Program, conducting evaluation of answer scripts in the Sinhala Medium.
  • Member of the Evaluation Committee: Haywood Museum of Art (2025). Recognized for the valuable contribution and commitment as a member of the Permanent Collection Evaluation Committee at the Haywood Museum of Art, Faculty of Visual Arts.

2024

  • Acting Head: Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design, Faculty of Visual Arts, UVPA.
  • Student Mentor: University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Faculty of Visual Arts.
  • Served as a Member of the Judging Panel: All-Island School Art Competition organized by the Ministry of Education, participating in the evaluation process across all rounds.
  • Member of the Evaluation Panel: Served as a judge for the World Children’s Day 2024 Poster Design Competition organized by the Department of Labour, Sri Lanka.
  • Member of the Panel of Judges: Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival 2025, a high-profile national event jointly organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Presidential Secretariat, and the Gangarama Temple.

2023

  • Resource Person of the School Curriculum Development: Aesthetic Subjects, National Institute of Education, Maharagama, Sri Lanka.
  • Resource Person as an Internal Lecturer in Ceramic Design-related subjects: Department of Ceramic, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Resource Person: Under the National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka, contributed to the preparation of the Art and Craft syllabus for the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) 2022/2025 degree programme.
  • Resource Person: Formulated the Art subject syllabus for the 4-year undergraduate degree programme in education at the National Institute of Education (NIE), specifically designed for teacher training.
  • Resource Person: Contributed to the National Institute of Education (NIE) in developing the Art subject curriculum for grades 6-13, including the creation of subject grids, modules, and teacher instruction manuals.
  • Served as a Member of the Judging Panel: All-Island School Art Competition organized by the Ministry of Education, participating in the evaluation process across all rounds.
  • Served as a Member of the Judging Panel: 43rd National Youth Awards in 2023, organized by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC), specifically for the Art, Sculpture, and Carvings competition category.
  • Chief Guest: Delivered keynote speech at “Space of Art 2023,” an art exhibition organized by Holy Family Balika Mahavidyalaya, Wennappuwa.
  • Judging Panel Member: International Women’s Day 2023 Poster competition, organized by the Department of Labour, Sri Lanka.

2022

  • Resource Person as an Internal Lecturer in Ceramic Design-related subjects: Department of Ceramic, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • External Examiner / Marker: National Institute of Education (NIE), Sri Lanka. Served as an Examiner for the B.Ed (Hons) Degree Program.
  • Resource Person: Contributed to the Education Reform Programme (2021, 2022) at the National Institute of Education, providing expertise for workshops focused on the Design component of the Art Curriculum.

2020

  • Member of the Evaluation Panel: “Artist Honoring Ceremony,” coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
  • Treasurer ( 2019 – 2020), Teacher’s Association, Faculty of Visual Art s, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Junior Student Counselor ( 2019 –2020), Faculty of Visual Art s, University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

2019

  • Dissertation Supervisor: Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts 2019/2020, appointed by Sripalee Campus, University of Colombo.

Research & Publication:

  • 2025 (Journal Volume 4, June – December): A Study of Sensory Perception and Cognitive processes Associated with the Use of the Term “Mostara” (Design) in the Sri Lankan School Art Curriculum (Focusing on School and University students). (Refereed Journal Shanara UVPA).
  • 2025 (Journal Volume 4, January – June 2025): A Comparative Study of Clay Lamps from the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Eras (Based on conserved clay lamps). (Refereed Journal Shanara UVPA).
  • 2025: “A Study on Decorative Motifs, Elements, and Principles used in the Design of the New Kelaniya Temple Murals.” (75 anniversary Publication of Faculty of Visual Art Research Publication, University of Visual and Performing Arts.
  • 2017    Deepthi Kumara.W. P. 2017, “බටහිර නිර්මාණ සැලසුම්කරණයේ පුරෝගාමියෝ (Pioneers of the western design)”, Nugegoda. Sarasavi Publication.
  • 2017   Deepthi Kumara.W. P. 2017, “සැලසුම් සඳහා වන මානව සාධක”, writers publication.
  • Kumara, W.P. (2017). “A Study on the Design Principles and Concepts of the Eth Pahana at Dedigama Kota Vehera.” Proceedings of the 9th Annual Research Conference of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL). Colombo: Sayuri Printers.
  • 2017.Deepthi Kumara, W.P. (2017). “A Study on the Design Principles and Concepts of the Eth Pahana at Dedigama Kota Vehera.” Proceedings of the 9th Annual Research Conference of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL). Colombo: Sayuri Printers.
  • Deepthi Kumara, W.P. (2017, August 02). “ඓතිහාසික සැලසුමක් වූ කොටවෙහෙර ඇත් පහන දැල්වූයේ කුමන අරමුණකින්ද?” (For what purpose was the historically designed Kota Vehera Elephant Lamp lit?). Badada Athirekaya, Divaina. Homagama: Upali Newspapers.
  • 2017. Deepthi Kumara, W.P. (2017, May 07). “දැඩිගම කොටවෙහෙර ඇත් පහනෙහි තාක්ෂණය හා භාවිතය” (The Technology and Usage of the Dedigama Kota Vehera Elephant Lamp). Irida Athirekaya, Divaina. Homagama: Upali Newspapers.

Paper Presentations:

2017

  • “A Study on the Design Principles and Concepts of the Eth Pahana at Dedigama Kota Vehera.” Presented at the 9th Annual Research Conference of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL), Colombo.
  • “A Study on the Human Usage and Design Concepts of the Eth Pahana at Dedigama Kota Vehera.” Presented at the National Archaeological Symposium 2017, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Exhibitions & International Participation:

  • 2024 “75 | 1949-2024: Excellence in Art Education” – Faculty Creative Art Exhibition, Faculty of Visual Arts, J.D.A. Perera Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • 2019 “Refine” – The New Craft International Emerging Artists Exhibition, Beijing, China.
  • 2018 International Exchange Program: China Academy of Art (June 2018), Hangzhou, China.
  • New Craft International Artists Group Exhibition: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • 2016 “Deepabhimani 2016” – Visual Arts Exhibition, J.D.A. Perera Art Gallery, Colombo 07. University of the Visual and Performing Arts.
  • 2016  “Thunpath Rata 2016” – Traditional Mats and Woven Products Exhibition, J.D.A. Perera Art Gallery, Colombo 07.
  • 2009  “The Art of Design” – Design Exhibition, Mo.21 Albert Crescent, Colombo 07. University of the  Visual and Performing Arts.