KALA in association with the Lionel Wendt Art Centre, is a platform for South Asian Art, and opens on 29th January 2024 with its inaugural exhibition “Pivot Glide Echo”. The exhibition will run until 25th February 2024. Kala is the Sanskrit word meaning performing art and was chosen to represent the evolving and encompassing practices of South Asia’s esteemed modern and contemporary artists. KALÀ is South Asia’s newest and educational artistic platform, inspired by the diverse culture and modern art history of Sri Lanka, KALA in association with the Lionel Wendt Art Centre aims to develop a global platform, inviting artists and art practitioners from across South Asia and the diaspora to build a collaborative force based on partnerships. KALÀ will evolve to meet the needs of artists and their supporting institutional partners, an well as the diverse audience who engage with them.
Pivot Glide Echo is the platform’s inaugural exhibition of artists spanning eight decades, curated by KALA Assistant Curatorial Advisor Mariyam Begum under the guidance of KALA Curatorial Advisor, Sandhini Poddar, Adjunct Curator at Large of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. With celebrated Sri Lankan photographer Lionel Wendt serving as a catalyst, the exhibition provides a unique window into inter generational dialogues that transpire between modern and contemporary artists from Sri Lanka and the diaspora.
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Lionel Wendt, George Claessen, George Keyt, lvan Peries, L.T.P Manjusri, H.A Karunaratne, Kingsley Gunatillake, Raki Nikahetiya, Mahen Perera, Liz Fernando, Sebastian Posingis, Muhanned Cader, Saskia Pintelon, Rupaneethan,Pakkiyarajah, Anoli Porora, Vasantha Yogananthan, Cassie Machado, Kavan Balasuriya,and Muvindu Binoy.
The Lionel Wendt Art Centre, a central cultural fixture in the city of Colombo, will serve as the venue for the exhibition, that will feature many of the most celebrated modern and contemporary artists of Sri Lanka alongside a curated program of talks, workshops and events at the centre, across leading institutions, establishments, online and selected hospitality partners from 29 January to 26 February, 2024.
KALA’s founding Platinum Partners are Cinnamon Life, Paradise Road, CAL and Wijeya Newspapers. The Founding Gold Partner is Chatham Luxury and the Founding Silver Partners are Malca Amit and WineWorld, Other Industry, Hospitality and Media Partners include Art South Asia Project, Barefoot Gallery, Christie’s, Daily FT, Daily Mirror, Echelon, Extremo Web, Films & Stills, Food Prints by Koluu, Gini Outdoor Kitchen, GPR, Hi, HI TV,Jhaveri Gontemporary, Lankadeepa, Mullen Lowe Sri Lanka, Ocula, Paradise Road Tintagel,Sapumal Foundation, Saskia Fernando Gallery, Shrine Empire Gallery, and The Sunday Times.
By Nelum Buddhadasa