KALA is on
View(s):KALA – a platform for South Asian art kicked off in style with an evocative expression of art and creativity at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the University of Visual and Performing Arts, the opening of KALA and the second edition of KALA’s Pivot Glide Echo exhibition, the Monday evening reception set the stage for the two-week programme.
It is an eclectic artistic mélange not to be missed: Pivot Echo Glide, in its second year curated by Mariyam Begum, and in parallel, KALA Commune curated by UVPA’s Mandira Ranathunga. For art enthusiasts, this is a rare chance to see so much – the platform set by the past greats and an exciting new vision; from works of David Paynter, Stanley Abeysinghe, H.A. Karunaratne and J.D.A. Perera to Hema Shironi’s curious embroidered work down to a sculpted bison by Laki Senanayake, wire sculptures by architect Tilak Samaraweera and even Ena de Silva-style batiks fresh from the Aluwihare shed. The exhibitions are on until February 28 from 10 a.m -5 p.m. each day.
The next morning, the scene shifted to the Sapumal Foundation where the first spotlight was on modern and contemporary art in South Asia. Sunaina Anand from the Art Alive Gallery in Delhi spoke about her valiant mission to foster Indian art while Rohan de Soysa of Sapumal looked at keeping alive this quaint bungalow as a haven from a more spacious, gracious era of Ceylonese society and art.
In Conversations with Collectors, exuberant Jaiveer Johal who has set up his apartment in Chennai (a veritable gallery, with Gandhara Buddhas in the living room and lots of quirky, avant-garde Indian art against the Chennai skyscape) spoke alongside Dr. Furqaan Ahmed, a gastroenterologist from Pakistan who has a massive, exquisite collection ranging from ceramics to sculpture.
On Tuesday evening Cinnamon Life hosted a KALA Art Party providing more opportunities for engagement. On in Colombo till February 28, KALA now in its second edition has a host of events taking place. Don’t miss the events this week: For the full programme, visit https://www.kalasouthasia.com/
Opening night at the UVPA: Saskia Fernando (left) and veteran artist H.A. Karunaratne. Below, a selection of the works on display. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Jagath Ravindra
Furqaan Ahmed in conversation with Jaiveer Johal
Meeting artists and guests at the Cinnamon Life KALA Art Party. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
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