Theertha is an autonomous, artist-led non-profit initiative based in Colombo. It was established in 2000 to facilitate the local community of artists in innovation, and experimentation. The core objective of Theertha International Artists Collective is to explore the possibilities of exchanging ideas and knowledge across ethnic, regional and artistic borders, in the context of contemporary critical art practice in Sri Lanka. At present, it has undertaken number of projects that include publication, teacher training, international workshops / residencies, exhibitions, computer training, developing local art networks and sustaining regional and international connections.  Theertha's own art space 'Red Dot Gallery' that was established in 2007 has become the leading art gallery that show case experimental innovative art of progressive contemporary artists. Theertha, an ideologically based organization supports the art of the art movement that is popularly called 90s Trend which has strong critical and experimental tendencies.

Theertha is currently planning its next phase of development from 2012.

The primary funding for Theertha programs are received from:

Arts Collaboratory is a Hivos and DOEN Foundation program for visual artists’ initiatives in Asia, Africa and Latin America and for exchange with visual arts organizations in The Netherlands in cooperation with Mondriaan Foundation.

Connecting South Asia...

Imagine South Asia Differently

The conference 'Space, Identity and Representation: Reading Culture in Context' is being organized the Colombo Institute as part of its ‘Connecting South Asia Project.’ The conference hopes to bring together number of well known scholars in humanities and art to engage in an indepth and intense exchange of knowledge produced on South Asia.  As its co-partner, Theertha will organize and curate an exhibition on South Asian Art in Colombo to coincide with the conference, which will broadly reflect the conference theme where selected artists from South Asia Network for the Arts will be invited to participate. The exhibition will open with the start of the conference and will continue for one month.  Conference will be held between 15 to 19th March 2011. 

Theertha and Colombo Insitute partnership in the past has produced number of invaluable publications on art and culture in the local languages (Sinhala and Tamil) and in English.  Under the Publication program of Theertha, Colombo Institute has put together 8 volumes of the Sinhala and Tamil cultural journals Patitha and Panuwal, 3 volumes of seminal Socio- Cultural texts in Sinhala and Tamil. In addition, more recently it has started publishing the South Asian Journal for Culture, an English langage journal that gives forum to indepth and researched essays on South Asian socio-cultural landscape. The forthcoming conference and exhibition hopes to further the attempts of the Colombo Institute and Theertha's intention to connect South Asia and strengthen its already emerging networks. Principal sponsor for the 'Connecting South Asia' conference project is Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development (the Netherlands).

For more information visit http://spacecolombo.blogspot.com/

‘Sethusamudram’-the Art Project @ theertha (Sri Lanka) + No1 Shanthi Road (India).

Sethu Samudram, the art project that Theertha and No 1. Shathi Road has developed collectively is envisioning to engage with and address this highly complex and variegated history and emotions surrounding the concept of Sethu Samudram, a mythical bridge that existed between India and Sri Lanka and foreground the links, similarities, and shared anxieties, emotions and histories between the two geographical areas.  ‘Sethusamundram’, the mythical bridge is under physical threat with the scheduled construction of a real bridge linking Sri Lanka and South India on the same place where the ancient bridge supposed to have been and is drawing critical attention from various interest groups, mostly Indian, highlighting potential or imagined ecological,social, political, and cultural threats that might ensue from the building of this bridge. As mentioned earlier, this ancient bridge is a natural formation, which has thru millennia acquired mythical dimensions. The two countries, India and Sri Lanka, share more than just a geographical affinity; we have always been intertwined with history, mythology and a turbulent geopolitical situation. In the contemporary context the ‘cause of the Tamils’ and the violent political past trying to grapple with it has been a major factor that created many political, cultural and social issues. Throughout history the geographical, political and imagined boarders of two countries have been porous and therefore shrouded with suspicion and circumspection. This is also because of the close affinity India and Sri Lanka shares with regard to their historical connections, exchanges and experiences that in many ways reflected in the contemporary mediations in politics and culture in both countries.

The overall research area of the art project will cover a wide area of study that include society, politics, history, religion, mythology as relevant to Sri Lankan and India. The SETHU SAMUDURUM project would like to engage in the wider discussion of history navigating through the contemporary dynamics of art (involvement with, and discussion on ideological and methodological innovations of visual arts) within the region.

More information>>>

 

No. 1. Shanthi Road, Bangalore, India.

In Talaimannar, Sri Lanka


Image Gallery - "Sethusamudram" art project, Theertha (Sri Lanka) and No1.ShanthiRoad (India)

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Theertha Pradarshana Wasanthaya
theertha International Artists’ Collective,
takes pleasure in inviting you to the preview of
Janananda Laksiri's exhibition
‘Sreaming Elergy’

For more information Janananda Laksiri

nine artists

Women Artists' Colloquium Exhibition 2010/11 'nine artists' is published by Theertha International Artists' Collective and Theertha Red Dot Gallery. The exhibition is organized by the Women Artists' Program of  Theertha as part of the Women Artists' Colloquium to support art practices of women artistd.

More on the exhibition

theertha International Artists’ Collective, takes pleasure in inviting you to the preview of ‘Imagining Aftermath’
by G.R. Constantine curated by Anoli PereraThe first of the eight exhibitions of the "Theertha Pradarshana Wasanthaya - 2011" at theertha Red Dot Gallery 
for more information>>>

            Sethu Residency 1 @ Theertha 2010

theertha International Artists Workshop 2010

TIAW 2010 will be held from 13th to 25th September 2010 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. There will be 18 Sri Lankan and international artists participating in the workshop this year.

More on the Workshop>>>>

theertha International Artists Collective
Presents


Majella-Clancy's-Residency Exhibition
at 
Red Dot Gallery
36 A, Baddagana Road South, Pitakotte.
Preview on 
Wednesday 25th August 2010 at 6.30 PM
The Exhibition will remain open till 1st September 2010

Gallery hours:
Monday to Wednesday 10.30 AM - 5.00 PM
Sundays 11.00 AM - 4.30 PM

Women Artists' Colloquium Exhibition

Majella Clancy is a visiting lecturer at the University of Ulster, Belfast

and is engaged in a Practice-led PhD in Contemporary Women’s Painting

at the same University. Her works, brought to life by painting on photo and digital print surfaces,

open up questions about race, class and, cultural and sexual differences. 

Her practice seeks to address multiple and provisional positions and experiences.

This exhibition showcases  works 

&

Ford Foundation

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"Omnipresence of the Prick"

the Exhibition with remain open from 25th to 03rd August 2010

at

Red dot Gallery

Inoka De Silva, Janani Cooray, Krishanthi Uluvitage, Lakeesha Fernando,
Priyanthi Anusha, Sajeewani Hewawitharna, Shamila Priyadarshani, Therica Miyanadeniya.
More on the exhibition>>>

theertha International Artists Collective,
takes pleasure in inviting you to the preview of
Chandramani Thenuwara’s

 Woven Colour V: A Tribute to the Hand Weavers of Sri Lanka

for more ..>>

 

t heertha International Artists Collective

takes pleasure in inviting you to the preview of 

 

t heertha International Artists’ Residency Exhibition 2009
Highlighting new media and new technology art

Participating Artists:

Eline Jongsma (Netherlands), Kel O'Neill (USA), Kusal Gunasekara (Sri Lanka), Manoj Baviskar (India), Pradeep Thalawatta (Sri Lanka), Prasanna Ranabahu (Sri Lanka)

Sarawut Chutiwongpeti (Thailand)

on Saturday  27 th March 2010 at  6.30  PM

at   theertha Red Dot Gallery

 

The exhibition will remain open until  7th April 2010 

 

Gallery Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10.30 AM - 5.00 PM
Sundays 11.00 AM - 4.30 PM.
Closed on all public and mercantile holidays.

Sponsored by: Ford Foundation, Arts Collaboratory, Hivos and DOEN Foundation, 

and Mondriaan Foundation and the Theertha Red Dot Gallery.

Arts Collaboratory is a Hivos and DOEN Foundation program for visual artists' initiatives in Asia, Africa and Latin America and for exchange with visual arts organizations in The Netherlands in cooperation with Mondriaan Foundation.

 

'Artists' Talk'

7 artists gives a presentation on their work:
Manori Jayasinghe
Louise Low Seok Loo
Sajeewani Hewawitharana
Sonia Jose
Saurganga Darshandhari
Therica Miyanadeniya
participting in the Theertha International Women Artists' Residency 2009
&
Yeoh Kean Thai
Artist in Residency at Theertha Art Guesthouse

at 5:30 pm
Friday 18 th December 2009

at Theertha Red Dot Gallery

Sponsored by: Ford Foundation, Arts Collaboratory, Hivos and DOEN Foundation, and Mondriaan Foundation.