Expressions of Independence

The Mona Bismarck Foundation presents sixty contemporary paintings brought together by the University of Visual and Performing Arts of Colombo to greet the sixtieth anniversary of Independence of

Sri Lanka

Expressions of Independence

April 4 through July 12, 2008

Mona Bismarck Foundation
34 avenue de New York, 75116 Paris

cliquer ici pour la version française

The Mona Bismarck Foundation presents, for the first time in France, sixty contemporary paintings by Sri Lankan artists. Expressions of Independence is a first time and exceptional event: no other group exhibition presenting the work of living Sri Lankan artists has taken place outside of Sri Lanka. An initiative of the Mona Bismarck Foundation, this exhibition was made possible through the participation of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo.

The organizing parties have chosen to create this exhibition within the framework of the Sri Lanka’s national history.  By choosing to present 60 Sri Lankan paintings, the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence, February 1948 is thus celebrated.  Sri Lankan Independence has equally played a powerful role in the founding of this University whose status as a full fledged autonomous University dates merely back to 1st July 2005.

The paintings were selected through an original method, aiming to solicit a large scope of artists. These artists, as well as the collectors of contemporary art, were invited through an ad published in a number of the national newspapers to come forward and present their artwork. A committee was then formed to select the paintings among the hundred of artwork received. The committee was composed of members of the University such as Mr. Vice-Chancellor Sarath Amunagama and the Sri Lanka Art Historian Susiripala Malimboda, Dean of the University and Curator of this exhibition.

Expressions of Independence takes an eclectic vision of Sri Lankan contemporary art, from which renowned artists meet emerging talents: sixty painters aged from 25 to 80, most of whom are living artists.

The works presented can neither be interpreted by occidental frameworks such as Modernism or Post-Modernism, nor categorized by the conceptualization of these artistic methods. The trend of these paintings rather reflects the variety of resources which have become the strength of Sri Lankan art. The pursuit of a traditional style contrasted with interpreting occidental influences, the artists engage a personal synthesis leaving no room for imitation.

This “Post-Traditional Art” often expresses popular sentiments and contains the memory of the ancient philosophical stories such as the lessons of Buddha’s life, creating a mold from which an essentially hybrid culture is stemmed. The multiplicity of stylistic variations is revealed through mostly figurative forms. The line plays a predominant role within the structure of a pictorial vocabulary from which influences of occidental painting are confronted with irreducible accents.

The Mona Bismarck Foundation is particularly interested in projects which reflect Mona Bismarck’s own cultural tastes and philanthropic interests.  Indeed, the Countess Mona Bismarck traveled extensively in the Far East.  One of her initial voyages, which is very well documented in her diaries, was to the latter day Ceylon, aboard the steam vessel “The Warrior”.  What better way to celebrate Sri Lankan independence in France than with a cultural manifestation in the Countess’ former Paris townhouse.

List of Artists

Mona Bismarck Foundation
34 avenue de New York, 75116 Paris
Email: info@monabismarck.org
www.monabismarck.org

Days and opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 18:30 p.m.
– Closed on holidays
Telephone: 01 47 23 38 88
Admission: Free
Metro: Alma-Marceau, Iena, Trocadéro
Bus: 72 – 63 – 94

Programs Coordinator: Kristina Didouan
info@monabismarck.org

Scenography: Christian Roy
scenographe@monabismarck.org

Graphics: Dianne Henning
www.hostingparis.com

Press Agency : Agence Catherine Dantan
Tel: +33 (0) 1 41 34 21 70 / 72
Email: cdantan@yahoo.fr