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Exhibitions Archive 2008
International Art Residency 2008 Exhibition
International Art Residency 2008 has looked at the idea of
performance and sculpture where artists were expected to bring out
challenging ideas and innovative work. The participating artists were
Ferial Affif (Indonesia), Suresh Kumar Goppalreddy (India), and
Ernestine White (South Africa), Bandu Manamperi (Sri Lanka) and
Janani Cooray (Sri Lanka) , Sarath Kumarasiri (Sri Lanka) and
Anura Krishantha(Sri Lanka). The exhibition was held at the Red Dot
Gallery on 8th June 2008.
Suresh Kumar Gopalreddy engage in his performance ' Anger Management'.
Janani Cooray in her performance ' The White Wall Performance'.
Left: Anura Krishantha's work ' Chairs'. Ferial Affif in her performance ' Calm Explosion'.
Ernestine While engaging with the 'Kaffir' community in Kalpitiya for her video work ' A Time to Remember'.
Women Artists’ Colloquium:
Advanced women artists colloquium – mentoring program by Jagath Weerasinghe with 6 women artists working for 3 months ending up with an exhibition project- February 2008. Seven artists were chosen after reviewing their art profiles to take part in the program. Following are the candidates participating in the Colloquium: Janani Cooray, Lakisha Fernando, Niranjala Gunasinghe, D. D. Sharmila Priyadharshini, Inoka de Silva, Krishanthi Sepalika.
Inoka de Silva, Scribbled Memories (2008). Paper, Gum and Glass Box. Right: Detail of work.
Niranjala Gunasinghe, Embroidered Memories (2008). Lace, Wax and Photographs
Krishanthi Sepalika, Withered Mushrooms (2008), Mixed Media.
Lakisha Fernando, Lightless Lamp (2008), Mixed Media.
D. D. Sharmila Priyadharshini, Face Fading Away (2008), Painted Buttons, Light Boxs and Photographs.
Janani Cooray, Lost Childhood (2008), Cushions, Satin Cloth, Dried Flowers and Glass Balls.
Six Degrees of Separation : Chaos, Congruence and Collaboration
An exhibition to celebrate international art exchanges and collaborations facilitated by the South Asian Networks for the Artists (Network) was held at the Red Dot Gallery. Similar exhibitions were organized by the Network members ( Khoj- India, Britto- Bangladesh, Vasl - Pakistan and Sutra- Nepal) in their countries simultaneously.The works of Sarath Kumarasiri, Pradeep Chandrasiri, Koralegedera Pushpakumara, Anura Krishantha, Pala Pothupitiya and Thisath Thoradeniya, six artists who have been part of the international workshops and residency programs in above member countires were part of the exhibition. These works refer to the art and the artists of the 90s Trend. While Sarath Kumarasiri, Pradeep Chandrasiri and Koralegedera Pushpakumara are closer to the initial nuances, visual representations and thematics of the 90s Trend , Anura Krishantha, Pala Pothupitiya and Thisath Thoradeniya represent the new generation of artists whose work have evolved to take the same trend as a point of departure. The latter belongs to the same generation of artists whose repertoire of visual language, the conceptual formulations and artist personas had the opportunity to negotiate and absorb globalized images, international art trends and art market possibilities in addition to the local cultural and political dynamics.
The art of the 1990s emerged in the context of a chaotic and complex
socio-political situation marked with a 20 year civil war, unplanned
economic maneuvers, the resultant youth frustrations and violence.
During the last decade and a half, as a reaction to such an
environment, a socially engaging and politically vocal visual art
practice with its own aesthetic vocabulary that broke all
possible conventions in art making emerged in Sri Lanka, which is now
popularly referred to as the 90s Trend. At present, nearly 18
years after the epistemic break initiated by the 90s Trend, one could
see younger artists taking these established possibilities into other
dimensions. What is seen now is this aesthetic vocabulary being
developed into more subtle aesthetic formats by the younger artists
discussing micro themes at a deeper level, investigating intimate and
highly personal experiences. The last decade also saw many
artists finding opportunities to explore art exchange situations and
conduits to connect with international art communities.
Globalization and its allure, IT technology and its advantages, and the
high frequency of information access allowed artists to think beyond
the local art community and locally specific art
expressions.
The six artists represented here have been part of the network of
artists who have been advantaged by experiences of international art
exchange and whose work reflect the changes of contemporary art trends
from the 90s up to the present.
Exhibition also included extensive information about the Network and
its worksings. The visitors to the gallery were able to log into the
member countries website and refer to many catalouges and documentation
presented to get information on the international residency/ workshops
and other event held by them.
Left: Sarath Kumarasiri's work ' After the Blast' (2006). Right: Pradeep Chandrasiri, At the Foot of the Mountaint (2007).
Left: Pala Pothupitiya, Borakakula (2002). Right: Anura Krishantha, Chairs (2008).
Gallery View.
Pradharshana Wasanthaya 2008
Pradhashana Wasanthaya 2008 started in September with Pala Pothupitiya's exhibition. The other artists included in the Padhashana Wasanthaya are Pradeep Thalawatte, Menika van der Poorten, Cora de Lang and Thisath Thoradeniya.
left to right: Works by Pala Pothupitiya, Apekesha: Kalak Evà men by Pradeep Thalawatte.
Left to righ: Sashi (2008) by Menika van der Pooten, Work by Cora de Lang
Above: Works by Thisath Thoradeniya.
Exhibitions Archive: 2009