Azara Jaleel Aubrey Collette, 1987, Lionel Wendt, Taprobane Collection “The powers of observation which go to the makings of these drawings are all the more remarkable in that they are done ‘off the cuff’ ”stated critic Jayanta Padmaha, in his review of Aubrey Collette’s exhibition ‘1954 Faces’ published in the Ceylon Observer on the 31st…
Interview with Gihan de Chickera Though political cartoons are a symptom of an older era of print journalism, their enduring relevance today could be attributed to the distinct niche they hold within the genre. Political cartoons have the simultaneous ability to critique and amuse, and thus balance comic tones with arresting poignancy. It is an…
In Conversation with Nalaka Gunawardene Political cartoons in the contemporary have adapted from their nascent forms within the traditional columns of print journalism. Variants—from social media posts to protest signs—continue to endure in the contemporary context through the growing relevancy of social criticism as a means of accountability, especially from the public domain towards institutional…
In Conversation with Cresside Collette Famed for his iconic affiliation with the ‘43 Group, Aubrey Collette was a remarkable caricature artist whose works danced the delicate lines between comic and critical, which brought to light the socio-political intricacies underlying Sri Lanka’s prominent societal figures in the early to mid-1900s. His politically forward cartoons—the very same he…
In Conversation with Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands & Marcus Desando | Prince Claus Fund Biennial Symposium 2023 Assembling artists and cultural experts from across the world, The Prince Claus Fund Biennial Symposium 2023 was held from 3rd December to 5th December 2023. This event had keynotes, presentations, excursions and more. The fund adopted a…
Documenting Life Through Art Image Courtesy | Saskia Fernando Gallery Arjuna Gunarathne is a Sri Lankan visual artist who has been based in London for almost 20 years. With an expansive knowledge of his craft and a nuanced understanding of a wide variety of artistic mediums and styles, he has established himself in the global…
Chandraguptha Thenuwara Chandraguptha Thenuwara represented by Saskia Fernando Gallery Chandraguptha Thenuwara presents his annual memorial exhibition ‘Meta-Real’, offering a distant contemplation of the socio-political developments of the nation since the 1980s. ‘Meta-Real’ opens today 23rd July 2024 and will run until 13th August 2024 at the Saskia Fernando Gallery, 41 Horton Place, Colombo 07. The…
Introspecting Cultural Narratives Through Sculpture In his maximalist approach to his craft, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran has habitually explored themes relating to deconstructing colonization, gender, South Asian cultural practices and religious symbolism. Born in Sri Lanka and currently based in Sydney Australia, Ramesh Mario is a multidisciplinary artist known for his bold sculptural works that foreground…