New Delhi: A group art exhibition of Sri Lankan contemporary art titled Portraits of Resistance was inaugurated at the Main Art Gallery in India International Centre, New Delhi.

Presented by the Department of Sociology, South Asian University, the exhibition is organised in collaboration with India International Centre, Society and Culture in South Asia, India-Sri Lanka Foundation and Teertha International Artists Collective.

Many renowned contemporary artists are exhibiting their collections that include Jagath Weerasinghe, Anoli Perera, Bandu Maamperi, Pala Potupitiya, Anura Krishanta, Pradeep Chandrasiri, Pradeep Talawatte, Jananda Laksiri, Danushka Marasinghe, Thisath Thoradeniya and Koralegedera Pushpakumara.

Naresh Verma, Director IIC, said the vision of the centre is to promote an understanding between different communities of the world by undertaking and studying their art and culture and knowledge exchange. He said the exhibition fitted into IIC’s country focussed program and gave one an opportunity to acquaint oneself with the contemporary art of Sri Lanka.

Kavita Sharma, President of South Asian University, while welcoming everyone at the event, lauded the different facets of resistance in various forms expressed in very creative ways.

Talking about the theme of the exhibition, Dev Nath Pathak, Co-ordinator, Department of Sociology, SAU who is also the curator of this exhibition, mentioned that the contemporary Sri Lankan art do not subscribe to the post card image of Sri Lanka as a paradise or as a picture perfect holiday destination. The exhibition provides an opportunity to redefine the idea of resistance, which is very different from the dictionary meaning of the word, he stated.

While giving a brief introduction to the Sri Lankan contemporary art, Jagath Weerasinghe said that the year 1983 was indeed the turning point. That was the year when a group of artists came together and left behind creating abstract art, as was taught in art colleges. By the 1990s, these artists, mainly from small towns, found a language for their narratives and started telling stories with their art from their real life experiences and memories. There were many criticisms in the initial years questioning the beauty of such an art, he informed.

The exhibition is on display from 23 to 28 August 2016 from 11.00 am to 07.00 pm daily at the Main Art Gallery, Kamaladevi Complex, India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, Lodi Road and is open for everyone.