Tapestry of collaborative work; Ena and her band of artists
Pix by Akila Jayawardena
The Barefoot Loft Gallery is currently home to a new exhibition centred on the works and collaborations of Ena de Silva, capping out the centenary celebrations of the renowned artist. Titled ‘Imagining New Natures – Collaborations with Ena’, the items on display reflect the developments in textile and batik design in Sri Lanka that came about as a result of Ena’s fabrics workshops and commissioned projects.
Last October, a series of events to commemorate Ena’s 100th birth anniversary displayed her unprecedented textile art, much of which had not been seen by the public.
The focus this year lies not only on Ena’s unique approach to design but also on the previously unviewed designs and projects produced in close collaboration with prominent artists Anil Gamini Jayasuriya, Laki Senanayake, Ismeth Raheem, Hema Dharmasena and Padmini Jayasinghe.
“We’ve been working on our archive and we discovered that there were so many special artists who worked alongside her as a part of her whole Ena de Silva fabrics set. Ismeth Raheem, Laki, and her son, Anil Gamini Jayasuriya did a lot of fantastic work, as well as Hema Dharmasena and Padmini Jayasinghe,” says architect Amila de Mel who worked closely with Ena and the Aluwihare Heritage Centre. “What we wanted to do was display Ena’s collaborative spirit. All these artists – their work and art styles come through but Ena would finally tie it all together.”
A portrait of Ena de Silva and trustee Amila de Mel (centre) and Chandra Aluwihare, a stalwart at the Aluwihare Heritage Centre talking to Channa Daswatte at the opening
The exhibition which opened to the public on Thursday will feature drawings, maquettes, templates, paintings, and completed textiles as well as major commissioned works completed by Ena de Silva Fabrics which will be shown alongside works by each artist with whom she collaborated.
The exhibition also coincides with the launch of the Ena de Silva Foundation, a not-for-profit and public trust established by Ena’s daughter Anula Kusum Aluwihare Gilmour Jayasuriya and trustee Amila de Mel. The foundation aims to preserve, maintain, collect and archive Ena’s work and continue her legacy as well as support the livelihoods of the craftspeople at the Aluwihare Heritage Centre.
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.