Iconic London college hosts Anoma’s book launch

By Kalpana Isaac Morris

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Anoma Wijewardene with the designer of the book Micha Weidmann and guest Marianna

It was International Women’s Day and there I was perched on the third floor of Central St Martins, the world-renowned art and design college of the University of Arts London for the launch of the book ‘Anoma’. Anoma Wijewardene, the artist, draws her inspiration by a process of osmosis from another island, Sri Lanka. She chose to launch her book from the place where she started as a student. She among a host of other famous names like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Pierce Brosnan, Sir James Dyson and Mangala Samaraweera is an alumna of CSM. The building that now houses CSM is full of light and space – a natural home for almost all creative endeavours.

Grayson Perry, the Chancellor of University of Arts London said recently, “It’s great to see UAL shoot up the rankings to claim the No. 2 spot in the world for Art and Design. It is a testament to the incredible talent of UAL that has shaped the visionaries, renegades, and pioneers that fuel the world’s need for creativity. It’s a brilliant result.” The UK now leads the world with the No.1 spot held by the Royal College of Art (RCA) and No. 2 by UAL.

Mr Lyan (Ryan Chetiyawardena) at work. Pic by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne

The gathering was eclectic and festive. In conversation Anoma said, “I work, because art is what I do best. It is the air that I breathe and I can’t imagine a life without it.” Living in a country which went through a civil war and is currently facing its aftermath has fuelled her work, and filled many a canvas.

The art monograph ‘Anoma’ dedicated to her parents Ray and Seela Wijewardene covers 50 years of the artist’s work with contributions by eminent writers from Sri Lanka, India and the UK including Prof. Emeritus Gananath Obeyesekere and Indian art critic Rosalyn D’Mello. Well-known writer Richard Simon, the book’s editor is based in Colombo.

A visual masterpiece, the book’s design and direction is by Micha Weidmann whose clients include Tate Modern and Christie’s. “I wanted to create a monograph that would be relevant 10 years down the line. I wanted a reader who didn’t know Anoma or of her work to be able to read and understand her art,” he told me. Asked what had struck him most, he said, “The mixture of elements and the energy and balance of her work. It is both political and conservative and I have tried to encapsulate that in the picture sequence in the book. I have moved it along in stages to capture her life and the evolution of her art.” The book contains some 250 images of her work.

Prof. (Emerita) Jane Rapley OBE, former head of College at CSM and Acting Pro Vice Chancellor of UAL knew Anoma from her first year at CSM and has contributed the essay ‘Genesis: The Formative Years’. Reflecting on those years, she said, “The qualities that I have noticed about Anoma are her persistence and her drive. In the 40 years I have known her she has combined these qualities with her concerns for the human condition and the world we live in.”

Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond of The Future Laboratory spoke of the distinctive nature of Anoma’s art. A design expert, Sanderson advises HSBC, Sony, LVMH and Apple. They were very involved in both concept and final editing and introduced Anoma’s work to Micha Wiedmann, making the book a truly international collaboration.

Another contributor Jana Manuelpillai, founder of the Noble Sage Gallery has been selling Anoma’s art for the last 10 years. With over 40 works sold, he said “I wanted to create a dedicated space for South Asian Art. I am an art historian and I have been a patron and advisor to Anoma and other artists.”

The event was sponsored by Colombo 7 Gin with celebrity mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardena better known in London as Mr Lyan, himself a CSM alumni in Fine Art, creating a special subtly spiced bespoke cocktail called ‘Anoma’ for the occasion.

The book is available at Egg in Belgravia, London.