Kalā is the Sanskrit word meaning performing art or skilled craft. Chosen as a name to represent the evolving and encompassing practices of South Asia’s esteemed modern and contemporary artists, KALĀ is South Asia’s newest educational and artistic platform, inspired by the diverse culture and modern art history of Sri Lanka. KALĀ 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. KALĀ will evolve to meet the needs of artists and their supporting institutional partners, as 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 KALĀ Assistant Curator Mariyam Begum under the guidance of KALĀ 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 intergenerational 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, Ivan 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 Perera, 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 25 February, 2024.
KALĀ’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, Extreme Web, Films & Stills, Food Prints by Koluu, Gini Outdoor Kitchen, GPR, Hi, Hi TV, Jhaveri Contemporary, Lankadeepa, Mullen Lowe Sri Lanka, Ocula, Paradise Road Tintagel, Sapumal Foundation, Saskia Fernando Gallery, Shrine Empire Gallery, and The Sunday Times.
