Power of art on the walls of Rio
View(s):- 15 South Asian mural artists come together to make their mark in Colombo
By Kaveesha Fernando
Years ago, the film billboards at Rio Cinema would catch the eye of passersby. Today, the walls of the cinema have come alive with murals celebrating both the diversity of the area, Slave Island, and the contributions of Sri Lankan women to the community.
Organised by the Fearless Foundation for the Arts, 15 ambassadors from across South Asia came together to create three compelling murals.
The young artists. Pix by Akila Jaywardena
Each mural was shaped by ideas gathered during community workshops. The Environmental Justice mural (seen on our magazine cover), in collaboration with the Biodiversity Project, honoured the keepers of unseen roots—those who protect Sri Lanka’s rich ecosystems, from towering Kumbuk trees to the smallest microorganisms. The Gender Justice mural (above right) in collaboration with Everystory Sri Lanka celebrated feminist storytellers while the Human Rights mural (top), in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Reconciliation Movement, envisioned a path toward peace and solidarity.
While the Fearless Foundation has left its artistic mark in Colombo before, this latest project is distinct in its scope and message. The 2025 murals, created in collaboration with artists from Nepal, Bangladesh, Iran, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Myanmar, embody the themes of resistance, empowerment and solidarity.
Founded in 2012 by artist Shilo Shiv Suleman, the Fearless Foundation for the Arts is known for its participatory art projects that reclaim public spaces and challenge societal fears with messages of love and resilience. Their work spans over 40 public monuments in 16 countries, amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, including Indigenous groups, refugees, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Rio murals: Messages of empowerment and diversity
The 2025 project in Colombo culminated in a communal feast on the evening of February 18, where artists, community members and visitors gathered to share personal narratives, discuss the creative process and enjoy some music, dance and storytelling that resonated with the rich artistic traditions of South Asia.
The Fearless ambassadors of 2025 represent a diverse spectrum of voices from across South Asia. From Nepal, Sara Tunich Koinch, a self-taught artist and activist, explores cultural identity and its social impact. Dithi from Bangladesh, an artist and architect, works with natural and recycled materials in her fight against injustice. From Iran, multidisciplinary artist Negin Rezaie channels resistance, empowerment, and liberation through storytelling. Mariyeh, a Kashmiri feminist artist from India, uses various mediums to advocate for gender equality, justice, decolonisation, and global solidarity. Also from India, Kolkata based Remzi/Remille explores the power of public art and activism within the underground hip-hop community. In Pakistan, Luluwa Lokhandwala, a multidisciplinary artist and researcher, delves into spirituality, feminism, and urban life through diverse mediums, addressing both social and environmental issues.
From Sri Lanka, Manga Samarasinghe, a visual artist and photojournalist, captures identity, emotion, and social justice through murals and storytelling, while fellow Sri Lankan artist Sahana mentors and empowers women through art. Nepalese artist Krisha, uses her work to inspire dialogue, challenge perspectives, and drive community change.
Ahsana Angona, an artist and activist from Bogura, Bangladesh, uses art to express emotions and advocate for gender equality, climate action and social resilience. From Quetta in Pakistan, Durrie Baloch, a visual artist, writer and researcher blends traditional and contemporary mediums to explore identity, culture, and existence. Similarly, Mumbai-based Indian artist Rohini challenges caste discrimination, celebrates marginalised histories, and advocates for social equality through fine art.
Iman Ahmed, an artist and writer from Pakistan, explores postcolonial domestic spaces and family memory through various media. From Afghanistan, Zholit, a graphic designer and calligraphy artist, uses her work to challenge gender injustice. Indian transfemme artist Mia Jose from Kerala incorporates horror, folklore and narratives into her work to examine identity, oppression, and the policing of bodies.
Finally, Pinky Htut Aung, a multidisciplinary artist from Myanmar now based in Paris after the 2021 coup in her country, blends music, visuals, and surrealist art for social change.
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