‘(A)critical Intimacy’  is an exhibition featuring art by seven artists.  Organized by the Theertha International Artists Collective as part of their Women’s Art Program, the exhibition gives a brief insight into the art practice of seven women. Through diverse art-making practices such as weaving, photography, painting, wood cut printing, etching and mixed media, they venture into investigating spirituality, love, family, world of cosmetics, children, personal histories, memories and identity with a sense of deep personal involvement and care marked by a sense of intimacy.  The artists exhibiting in ‘(A)critical Intimacy’ are Dhanushka Amarasekara, Marie Gnanaraj, Neranjala Gunasinghe, Anoli Perera,  Menika van der Poorten, R. Vaidehi and Anoma Wijewardene. The exhibition is curated by two artists, Anoli Perera and Jagath Weerasinghe who have curated many key exhibitions in the past. Through the show the curators try to capture the intimate sense of art making that is shared by all participating artists irrespective of the diversity of their methods.  Therefore, what is emphasized in ‘(A)critical Intimacy’  is the proximity to the subject, the deep personal involvement, the engagement not as an anthropological investigation but as investigation of curiosity, both critical/ non critical, which represents human emotions and attachments.

The exhibition will be held at the Harold Peiris Gallery, Lionel Wendt Art Centre from 24th to 26th from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.  The preview will be held on 23rd at 6.30 pm for an invited audience.

Theertha, an artists’ led organization known for its innovative art projects such as the ‘Theertha International Art Workshops’  (held in 2001, 2003 and 2006) and ‘20th Century Sri Lankan Art’  (traveling educational art exhibition).  Theertha started the ‘Women’s Art program’ in 2005 to support and highlight the art practices of Sri Lankan women artists.  Under this program, an extensive art archive is being built documenting the lives and art of women in the past and present.  To support new artists to develop their methods, concepts and art making skills, Theertha has formulated a ‘Women Artists’ Colloquium.’  The program would select recent graduates from the art schools and provide them with additional knowledge through a series of lectures and discussions to improve their articulation in presenting an art idea.  In addition, Women’s Art Program will hold exhibitions of senior women artists.  ‘(A)critical Intimacy’  is the first exhibition of this series. ‘(A)critical Intimacy’  is sponsored by HIVOS (the Netherlands).