An interview with Chathurika Jayani on her latest solo exhibition ‘Dreamscape’.
In the artist’s first solo exhibition with SFG, Jayani presents an outstanding new body of work within which she explores gradient colours spectrums combined with a heavy contrast of weaving and collaged painted cardboard buildings. The series features surreal landscapes, representative of the artist’s exploration of urban development and socialization.
Born in 1984 in Colombo, Chathurika Jayani is an emerging contemporary artist. She has completed her bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, and has exhibited locally as well as in Bangladesh, the Maldives and in Nepal.
Q: When did you begin working with corrugated boards and using this particular material to build your urban landscapes?
A: I was challenged by my education to learn to incorporate different materials in my practice. The mundane nature of discarded corrugated cardboard appealed to me, the idea of using this material played on my interest in the urban landscape. In some sense these boards resembled the asbestos sheets used in many of these makeshift dwellings and the symbolism of using the material in a sustainable way became a connection to the message I was trying to communicate in my work. There is something very simple yet beautiful about a simple corrugated cardboard sheet but I try to enhance its characteristic and beautify its simplicity; it is a material I do not tire of in my practice.
Q: What inspired you to begin weaving into your canvases? Does this draw any reference from traditional Sri Lankan craft practice? What is your stance on incorporating craft practice in your work (if any)?
A: Most of my artworks contain vertical and horizontal lines which were created using cardboards. However I wanted to take out the rigidness and bring out the flexibility of these lines.
When trying out new material, thread was an ideal substitute for cardboard, it allowed me to play with shape and form while also contrasting to the materials and colour I would usually use on my canvas. I researched traditional weaving and handloom practices and drew inspiration from these colours and practices.
As a female artist I aim to pay homage to the strength of women in Sri Lankan craft practices and by finding a way to incorporate these into my work I feel I will be able to develop the representation of craft in my work further in the future.
Q: What has stood out over the years has been your choice as an artist to confront the less represented settlements across the city, many areas that no longer exist and are being displaced. At the same time we have seen you depicting the development of Colombo city with high rises and now floating constructions in urban landscapes. How would you look back on this progression of your narrative?
A: From the beginning I have mostly focused on the city, its buildings and colours. During these creations I have focused on shantytowns as well as modern buildings and to focus on the contrast of these locations particular in the city of Colombo where we often observe one alongside the other. The contrast itself is often crude in nature, the urban landscape of Colombo cannot be pictured without one of the other and in many senses I try to picture them with equal prominence. I try to explore the integrity of both in my narrative, to engage in a discourse on the relevance of architecture and development alongside society and tradition. With the industrialisation and rapid changes in the City, I have given priority to the Colombo skyline.
Q: Can you walk us through the beginning of ‘Dreamscape’ works, telling us how this idea developed via process and also your explanation of the dreams that inspired the series
A: The ever-changing city of Colombo and its skyline is surreal to me. We are inundated with images of the development and changes of the city of Colombo. Also, the images published on the Internet and social media have made an impact on the artworks I have created. There is something entirely surreal in these developments.
Q: Can you tell us about the exhibitions you have presented internationally and what you are particularly proud of from your achievements in your career over the last five years?
A: I am a mother, wife and a teacher. But during the past five years, I spent most of my time with my artworks. Being able to manage my time well and also gaining some recognition as an artist by society is something that I can be happy about. I was lucky enough to exhibit my works in solo exhibitions in the country and also exhibit internationally. I have won several state awards for my work.