Wankagiriya - Feelings Of Isolation And Distance

Another art-exhibition has been completed for the collaborative project "Reconnaissance In Times Of Darkness", which will be opened in OSGrid on 21st of March at 2pm SLT. Sujeewa Kumari, a well reputed Sri Lankan artist, shows drawings and paintings created during the Corona-crisis with the title "wankagiriya", feelings of distance and isolation. The paintings can be bought in real and the artist will give a special discount for visitors of the VWBPE-event, who decide there to buy one. Ask Asmita Duranjaya for details.

Sujeewa's work has been arranged by Asmita in cubes according to the wish of the artist and each cube is hollow and a visitor can sit inside and let him/her inspire by the artwork. It contains a chair with the specific texture, which can be taken as a freebie for 0L. 

The pictures are of a soft and sensitive beauty and are sold for a very reasonable price. Sri Lanka as an island was completely isolated during the last year of covid 19 and it was extremely difficult for artists to survive, because they live also from buyers and collectors, who come from outside the island. So each sold artwork is a help for the artists and their families. Two pictures are already sold.

"Wankagiriya" means something like maze. The maze is a symbol for the feelings in corona-times - we are in a trap and have to find the way out in a difficult terrain.

 

 

Mindful Memories by MindScape Artist Sujeewa Kumari

The artist explains: "In my most recent works, comes to terms with de-realized memories derived by history, tradition and daily life reality, to formulate a compelling artistic synthesis of cultural images.

My work following a surrealist tradition to open my dreamy realistic cosmos. In the subtle elegant style combines thin lines and fluid ink washed clouds with detailed portraits, space and objects  and symbols, together they form dreamy light translucent layers and structures on the paper/canvas.

My use of color is very subtle but pointed. I  evolves a distinct mystic appearance to refer to my memories, hidden desires and a spiritual self-discovery."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nice%20Atoll/93/170/1013 .

Sujeewa Kumari was educated at the Institute of Aesthetic Studies at the University of Kelaniya, and completed her MFA at the Dutch Art Institute in the Netherlands, where she began explored her experimental spirit as a female contemporary artist. Within her early body of works the artist expresses her point of view as a woman in Sri Lanka, focusing on her female identity in the contemporary art scene and society based on her experiences, and her research on the concept of post-colonial identity discourse. In her most recent artworks Kumari comes to terms with de-realized memories derived by history, tradition and daily life reality, to formulate a compelling artistic synthesis of cultural images. Her body of work varies from new media techniques as digital photograph collages, video installations and performance, however she is most recognised for her mixed media drawings. In every medium she is following a surrealist tradition to open her dreamy realistic cosmos to the viewer. The essence of her work is that she refuses an explanation in favor of an open strategy, not to “over-think” her compositions, as she puts it. In her subtle elegant style, Kumari combines thin lines and fluid ink washed clouds with detailed portraits, everyday objects and symbols, together they form dreamy light translucent layers and structures on the paper. Her use of color is very subtle but pointed. In favor of a magic realism, she evolves a distinct mystic appearance to refer to her memories, hidden desires and a spiritual self-discovery of historical constructed identities of “self” and “other”. The spectator is encouraged to discover these hybrid images, invoking an empathy with the presented contemplative strangers and think about one’s own place in Kumaris enchanting oeuvre. Sujeewa Kumari has held solo shows in the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

http://www.artspacesrilanka.com/artists/sujeewa-kumari.html .