The late architect Geoffrey Bawa established a trust in his name in 1982 with a mandate to ensure the advancement of art, architecture, and ecology. More than four decades later, this work continues with an expanding curatorial team dedicated to Bawa’s vision.
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust set up its curatorial team in 2018 to design a programme honouring Geoffrey Bawa’s 100th birthday; a one-year celebration of talks, tours, exhibitions and publications titled Bawa 100. Since then, the team has produced multiple long-format curatorial projects involving local and international artists, podcasts, and exhibitions alongside a regular schedule of talks, tours, and workshops. The team now comprises several departments including Curatorial, Design and Communications, Production, and Programmes.
The Design and Communications team formulates and upholds an institutional identity for the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, overseeing social media, website design and management, and printed matter in addition to managing press relations. Thilini Perera, the Senior Design and Communications Manager, joined the team in 2019 and Sathira Imaduwage, the Design and Communications Assistant, joined in 2023.
Q: What does your role involve?
Perera: My role spans conceptualising and producing graphics across various scales as well as managing communications both online and offline. I have had the privilege of shaping the visual identity for key curatorial programmes such as Bawa 100 and To Lunuganga, co-designing the exhibition Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential to be There presented in Colombo, New Delhi, and New Haven, and designing the companion publication Geoffrey Bawa: Drawing from the Archives published by Lars Müller Publishers.
Imaduwage: I work alongside the Senior Design and Communications Manager to produce a cohesive identity across all of our platforms. I have been able to work on a range of projects on different scales. I recently designed the graphics for our Tree Talks podcast and coordinated with Sinhala and Tamil translators for each episode. I also curated a project launched this year called Sculpted Time: An Architecture-Focused Film Series.
Q: What prompted you to join the Geoffrey Bawa Trust?
Perera: My decision to join the Geoffrey Bawa Trust was driven by a deep admiration for Bawa’s work and a desire to engage with an institution dedicated to preserving and promoting culture and nature. The opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful mission was especially motivating, as it aligned closely with my own interests and enabled me to make a tangible impact on how Bawa’s vision is shared and understood across various intersecting fields, both locally and globally.
Imaduwage: I knew I wanted to work in arts and culture and have some creative agency in my job. I liked the type of work the Trust was doing and Thilini, who I knew from university as a guest lecturer, seemed like a great person to work with.
Q: What have you learned through your work at the Geoffrey Bawa Trust?
Perera: Adopting a multidisciplinary approach can be demanding, but it is necessary for growth. Working at the Trust encourages me to grow beyond my role and collaborate across departments which has shaped me into a more versatile creative practitioner. This experience has highlighted the importance of continuous learning and finding new ways to challenge and expand a typical career trajectory for a graphic designer.
Imaduwage: Thanks to Sculpted Time, I have been able to explore the intersection between film and architecture, both of which have been areas of interest for me for a while. Developing the programme and conducting monthly screenings improved my networking skills and gave me a better understanding of the processes behind putting an event together. I also get to interact with interesting material in the Geoffrey Bawa Archives to inform my design work. This multidisciplinary approach helps me learn and grow as a designer and professional.
As one of the oldest non-profits in the island’s cultural sector, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust is one of just a handful of employers offering rare, first-hand experience and training for museum professionals, bridging various disciplines and providing a foundation for a lasting career in the arts.
Working with the Trust provides insight into how a local cultural organisation that values interdisciplinary approaches and thoughtful direction operates within Sri Lanka’s broader cultural landscape. The Geoffrey Bawa Trust continues to develop its departments and seeks enthusiastic, self-driven applicants to engage in meaningful, hands-on work within a dynamic setting. Find more information at geoffreybawa.com/opportunties.