George Claessen (5 May 1909 – 1 May 1999) was a Sri Lankan artist and poet whose art was characterised by his mystical outlook and beliefs.
Claessen was born in Colombo and was a largely self-taught artist who began to paint professionally when, aged 29, he joined the Colombo Port Commission as a draughtsman.
[3][4] In 1947 Claessen had a solo show at the Velasquez Gallery in Melbourne by which point he was painting in a purely abstract manner.
Claessen exhibited in London several times and was a member of the Hampstead Artists Council and the Islington Art Circle.
[5] Throughout his life Claessen continued to work at the Colombo Port Commission until his retirement and also published several volumes of poetry.