The Women Artists’ Colloquium is a program initiated by Theertha in 2005 as a forum for young women artists to gain additional knowledge in art practice and theory. The colloquium is a series of discussion-based mini workshops offering a selected group of women artists guidance in improving their skills of articulation, formulation of art ideas and finally work towards a curated exhibition. The program invited a number of established and well-known artists and academics proficient in subjects such as gender studies, cultural theory and art history to lead discussions.

The main objective of this program is to provide a support base in the form of knowledge, training, skills development and much needed art institutional backing to continue the art practice of these young women, especially during the initial stages of their artistic life. This initial period tends to be a crucial time for women artists to retain their identity and profession as artists as in most cases young graduates from the art college become victims of social pressures that lead to giving up their art careers for other commitments.

The Women Artists’ Colloquium also encourages artists to engage in experimentation, innovation and to think beyond the established ideas critically.

The exhibition presents the work of artists Inoka De Silva, Krishanthi Sepalika, Janani Cooray, Lakisha Fernando and Niranjala Gunasinghe who participated in the 2005-2006 Women Artists’ Colloquium.