What is the strategic objective of John Keells for promoting contemporary SL art? As a Sri Lankan company with regional business interests, the John Keells Group has a multi-dimensional approach to development based on the triple bottom line. Our CSR activities are focused on building the skills and productivity of the people of our communities towards empowering them to ...

For the three exhibitions ‘Moving Images’, ‘Mediated’ and ‘30 Years Ago’ that you curated, how exactly did you conduct the process of art curation? For all three, an initial concept drove the  selection of producers, which then resulted in the final output for the exhibitions and related websites. I always juggle several concepts for art projects in my head ...

When purchasing art, what is the most important aspect that you consider before hand? The artist’s style is a very important aspect that I consider. I make sure every painting that I purchase reflects the skill that the artist is best known for. What is your personal objective of collecting art? My obsession with art is the primary reason ...

Have their been identifiable visual art trends in Sri Lanka at different periods in terms of subject matter, medium, used, backgrounds of artist etc? if so please elaborate on them. Yes, there have been many art trends at different periods. Stylistically speaking one can say there were 6 or 8 stylistically distinct trends. Earliest is the style of Anuradhapura ...

How do you choose works of art/artists to be featured at your gallery? When selecting artists, I look into a culmination of characteristics to ensure that we select artists with the best potential to evolve. Firstly, the artistic skill that develops through practice and experimentation is imperative. I notice a significant distinction in those who develop their skills by ...

This issue of ARTRA Magazine dissects the visual art scene in Sri Lanka through a comprehensive approach. Insights that have been shared in the section ‘Works of Art and personalities’ shed light to the different visual art trends from ancient times to date, evolving processes of a work of art, the role galleries in nurturing artists, motives of an art ...

Theatre is a form of art, and as with art, I ensure that my photography justifies it’s form of expression. When I capture theatrical performances, I focus on the perspective of the director, direction, acting, visual effects and props. Prior to the performance on stage, I… For more read page 53 of ARTRA Magazine Oct/Nov E8. Purchase a copy ...

His musical obsession began unknowingly, at home at a young age, while listening to a sambol of sound that be Mozart, Neil Diamond, CT Fernando, Cindy Lauper, Sunil Edirisinghe, NKOTB, Puff Daddy, Nirvana and the likes (just to give you an idea.) Fast-forward to now, he has eased into DJing which blossomed over the last decade or so, between ...

FEATURE ARTIST | ERICH JOSEPH ‘Born Free Art’ captures wildlife from the perspective of the artist. Essentially, photography highlighted under this section recognizes the effort of the photographers who showcase alternate presentations of the wildlife that provoke contemplation. ‘Wildlife Photography’, as we know it, is a convention with a set of standard characteristics. An exemplary photograph that belongs to the ...

For more go through 47-48 ARTRA Magazine Oct/Nov E8. Purchase a copy at Barefoot, Odel, Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd, Vijitha Yapa Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd. The Sandwich Factory Yamaha Music Centre – Col 7, Cannon Col 3, Milk & Honey Cafe, Col 7 www.books.lk. For subscriptions call +94772305054 The post highlights from the pettah expose on artra magazine oct/nov e8 ...

The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place simultaneously in Edinburgh, Scotland every August. Although the festivals are put on by various organizations unrelated to each other, they are regarded as part of the same event; and together they form the world’s largest festival of arts & culture. Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are considered to be the main segments ...

As one of the most significant events in modern Sri Lankan history, the conflict between the Governments of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is one that has shaped the very fabric of the country. As a key event that propelled the nation toward war, the systematic campaign of violence against the Tamil people that took place ...

The seminar titled ‘Unpacking Multiple Identities within Gender Based Art’ is to support the nascent field of art criticism in South Asia by creating an opportunity where art critics from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, USA and Germany can deliberate together and also have an exchange with the audience on the pertinent concern of gender representation. Unpacking Multiple Identities within ...

Rudrani Devi Das’s collection of paintings are which were showcased at her debut exhibition at Gallery Mountcastle, Col 7, was a combination of three themes: fantasy, femininity and nature. Rudrani states ‘Fairies embody all three elements, and best represent the experience of my life. Life, to me, is beautiful and magical, wondrous and adventurous, and the spiritual and fantastical aspects ...

I’ve never learnt creative writing before. ‘Write to Reconcile’ was my first creative writing workshop experience.  I discovered that Shyam Selvadurai, one of my all time favorite writers would be the main facilitator for this project. To make things even better I also discovered that Nayomi Munaweera will be the co-facilitator for the Colombo and Jaffna Residential Workshops. I must ...

Four men, a little wood, a lot of brass – and a whole arsenal of multifarious percussion instruments: Talking Horns enchant and entertain with musical stories from their past, present and future, told in their own, highly eloquent musical diction. Purists and category fetishists be warned: Talking Horns speak equally to the mind and the emotions – to the ...

Paraya was an anthology of experiences based on questions of identity that all started with ”what happens when…?” And each answer was offered through the perspective of characters who were both vulnerable and dangerous. It offered Colombo audiences a first glimpse into the world of immersive theatre through a series of shocks, scares and hard to digest demonstrations of the use and abuse of power intertwined with a ...

The Dhaka Art Summit (DAS), which is taking place on February 7-9, will focus on the South Asian region’s vibrant contemporary art scene. The DAS will feature six exhibitions curated by international curators, 13 solo art projects, a city-wide public art project, screenings of experimental films, performances, and presentations by 33 local and international galleries including 250 artists from across ...

In this age of the electronic dance music (EDM) epidemic, many musicians and producers from the usually-western music scenes we follow, throw in sounds and rhythms they grew up listening to; inspiration usually seeped in from their roots, and neighbours. It is ironic that most of us look to the west and simply follow their sounds, without batting an eyelid, ...

For more read page 26-27 ARTRA Magazine Oct/Nov E8. Purchase a copy at Barefoot, Odel, Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd, Vijitha Yapa Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd. The Sandwich Factory Yamaha Music Centre – Col 7, Cannon Col 3, Milk & Honey Cafe, Col 7 www.books.lk. For subscriptions call +94772305054 The post works of art by nadia h omar on artra magazine ...