This exhibition coincides with and contextualizes the first anniversary of the Aragalaya/Porattam(“struggle” in Sinhala and Tamil respectively) – Sri Lanka’s 2022 Occupy movement. It explores how art helped promote – and now helps sustain – a more hopeful, pluralistic, accountable, and democratic politics for Sri Lanka. The exhibition raises greater awareness about Sri Lanka’s crisis and struggles through the work of contemporary Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim artists. It showcases new paintings and drawings by well-known artist Sujith Rathnayake, who founded GotaGoGamaArt Gallery.

The exhibition is made possible through generous support from the University of Essex Arts & Humanities Impact Accelerator Fund.

Please join us for these free events:

Exhibition launch and talk by Sri Lankan artist Sujith Rathnayake

• Saturday 8 July, 2-3 pm @ Boiler House
• Sunday 16 July, 5:30-7:30 pm @ Hatch End Suites 1&2

Exhibition closing event with panel discussion

Drawing classes led by Sri Lankan artist Sujith Rathnayake

• Saturday 8 July, 3 – 5 pm @ Boiler House: Drawing class for adults
• Sunday 16 July, 3 – 5 pm @ Hatch End Suites 1&2: Drawing class for adults & children

Film screenings and post-screening discussions

• Wednesday 12 July, 6 pm @ Boiler House: Paangshu (2018, feature) by Visakesa Chandrasekaram
• Thursday 13 July, 6 pm @ Boiler House: In Search of a Road (2006, Documentary) by Dharmasena Pathiraja
• Saturday 15 July, 2 pm @ Hatch End Suites 1&2: Amid the Villus (2021, Documentary) by Sumathy Sivamohan