ART CONNECT by Swim Week Colombo Green Consciousness Inspires the Work of 6 Artists

Vajira Gunawardena questions the reality and the representations of realty in a bargaining world. Hence he concentrates on subjects such as politics, metaphysic, culture, history, consumerism, myths and ethics. Internal body of his work is interested in using the figurative forms, assemblage and stencil techniques. Each motif is a specific archetype that uses line, color and space to form a cognitive-based narrative that explores inhuman space in daily lives. He hopes that each image he uses will become more powerful, more important, and more communicable. Vajira works as a visiting lecturer at University of the Visual and Performing Arts – Sri Lanka. He is a Fine Arts graduate Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya and his work has been featured extensively in Sri Lanka and Internationally.

Chathurika Jayani is a young gifted artist who establishes a story that is defined by both dimension and texture. The use of mixed media creating a layered three dimensional visual on her canvas is effective in illustrating this aesthetic. The artist completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo and has participated in numerous group exhibitions both locally and abroad. In addition to this, she is the winner of multiple awards. Under the theme of “Escape”, she intends to exhibit a series of works for Art Connect.  In this series of paintings, her attempt was to capture bolts of freedom in the lives of people living in slums of Colombo using recycled corrugated sheets and burnt wood as a base. Jayani’s work is prominent due to her attention to intricate details and the creative methodology in which her work is presented which is expected to cater to those in attendance.

Ajith Susantha is a dynamic experimentalist who is forever coming up with innovative design ideas in acrylics, mixed media & 3D sculpture of various types. Ajith holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, from university of Kelaniya and ever since has exhibited his works in England and Norway, as well as the Colombo galleries. For Art Connect he will showcase abstract and untitled installation art which are created using recycled mixed media.

This is the second season, that Fashion Week has brought on board, to give form to their vision, through the curator of this exhibition Chamika De Alwis, Chartered Architect by profession, but passionate about art.

Swim Week Colombo benefits from its collaboration with strategic partners who have understood its vision and have rendered much support in pursuing its present goals in achieving a higher standing in the global fashion scene, as well as its new position in being environmentally and socially more responsible. Olu Tropical Water – Title Partner, Linea Aqua – Main Partner, Hilton – Hospitality partner, Wine World – Official Lifestyle Beverage Partner, Spa Ceylon, Ramani Fernando, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka and MSL Group Sri Lanka and Emerging Media – all of whom share and extend their support towards the vision and aspirations of pursuing an eco-system approach to environmentally responsible fashion.

These artistic interpretations shared at ART CONNECT will stimulate thoughts and inspire new ideas among designers and manufacturers, as with last year’s edition. Through these unconventional, yet related means, it is expected that a new wave in Sri Lanka’s fashion realm will be initiated.

For further information please visit www.swimweekcolombo.com or follow Swim Week Colombo of Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/swimweekcolombo/), Instagram @swimweekcolombo