​Gamini Ratnavira is an internationally celebrated wildlife artist whose extraordinary career spans over five decades, combining artistic mastery with a profound dedication to conservation. Born and raised amidst the rainforests of Sri Lanka, Ratnavira’s childhood was steeped in the beauty of nature—raising a baby elephant, observing his father’s pet leopard and macaw, and sketching the vibrant wildlife that surrounded him. Born into an aristocratic family of jewelers who mingled with royalty, Gamini Ratnavira’s privileged upbringing stood in stark contrast to his deep yearning for nature’s wisdom and tranquility. While his days were often spent at boarding school, he seized every opportunity to escape into the rainforest, where he found solace and learned the secrets of the wild from the aboriginal people who called it home.  This intimate connection with the natural world shaped his life’s purpose: to share the wonder of nature through art and inspire its preservation.

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Self-taught and fiercely passionate, Ratnavira has journeyed to over 55 countries, documenting thousands of species in their natural habitats. His meticulous process involves sketching, photography, and field research, resulting in paintings and sculptures that are celebrated for their scientific accuracy and breathtaking beauty. Through his art, he highlights nature’s intricate relationships, from the symbiotic connections between flora and fauna to the subtle interplay of light and shadow in a pristine rainforest.
 

Ratnavira’s artwork has graced the most prestigious stages of the art world, including Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and the National Geographic Society’s Sculpture Garden. He has been commissioned for monumental works, such as the 42-foot African mural at Safari West and the San Diego Natural History Museum’s collection of 42 paintings of endangered species. His life-size bronze sculpture of a Hyacinth Macaw, Jewel of the Emerald Forest, was prominently exhibited in Washington, D.C., and his paintings are part of private and institutional collections worldwide, including those of heads of state and conservation leaders.
 

One of his crowning achievements is The Hummingbird Collection, an exquisite series of paintings that captures the ethereal grace and dazzling diversity of one of nature’s most remarkable species. Each work in the collection is a masterpiece, reflecting Ratnavira’s unparalleled ability to bring these tiny, jewel-like creatures to life. The collection’s exclusivity is matched only by its impact—proceeds from Ratnavira’s work have supported countless conservation initiatives, from the preservation of Sri Lanka’s rainforests to international wildlife protection efforts.
 

Ratnavira’s influence extends beyond the canvas. He served as Chief Advisor to Sri Lanka’s President on Wildlife and Conservation and designed the enduring logo for the country’s Department of Wildlife. His contributions include 38 nature-awareness postage stamps still in use today and the Natalie Ratnavira Education Center, a sanctuary in Sri Lanka fostering collaboration among artists, scientists, and conservationists. Together with his wife Lisa, who manages their gallery and shares his passion for wildlife and art, Ratnavira has built a life dedicated to inspiring conservation and celebrating the natural world.

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Ratnavira’s art reflects the buddhist philosophy of respect and gratitude for all life. His paintings are imbued with a timeless message: the natural world is both fragile and magnificent, deserving of our awe and protection. The dragonfly symbol he includes next to his signature is a tribute to his late daughter Natalie and a reminder of the enduring connections between life, love, and nature. More of his work can be discovered at: GaminiRatnavira.com
 

With over five decades of artistic mastery and a legacy of inspiring global conservation efforts, Ratnavira invites elite collectors, museums, and conservationists to join him in preserving the beauty of the natural world.

The Hummingbird Collection represents not only his artistic pinnacle but also a rare opportunity to own a piece of nature’s wonder, immortalized by one of the world’s foremost wildlife artists.