Sri Lanka’s annual open air art fair ‘Kala Pola 2019’ announced
Kala Pola 2019 is scheduled to be held on February 24, 2019, at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path), south of Viharamahadevi Park from 9:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.. The announcement was made via a panel discussion held in Colombo, recently. Conceptualised by the George Keyt Foundation and supported by John Keells CSR, for the last 25 years, the primary objective of Kala Pola is to provide a platform to launch and sustain the careers of talented artists and sculptors, foster the development of a clientele, facilitate the exchange of ideas among artists for collective growth in style and genres, and promote art as a potent and professional career. Over the years, Kala Pola has also become a reputed mean of popularising the appreciation and patronage of visual art by the general public in a pleasant atmosphere of music and camaraderie. “It is interesting and heartening to note that the number of people who have visited and bought art from the Kala Pola throughout the years have increased rapidly. Last year alone, Kala Pola has helped artists earn sales exceeding Rs.15 million at the event supported by a visitor count exceeding 28,000,” George Keyt Foundation Chairman Micheal Anthonisz said. He added that starting with just 35 artists in 1993, in recent years Kala Pola has showcased approximately 300 artists per year. “Providing a bona-fide platform for artists and sculptors to launch and cement their careers, Kala Pola has over the years offered unparalleled opportunity for many an artist to gain substantial exposure at a national and international level, thereby being a fillip to their economic status,” John Keells Holdings Head of CSR and Executive Vice President Nadija Tambiah said. During the panel discussion, the importance of ‘art’ as a critical ingredient for experiential tourism was highlighted, as the essence of the local culture may be rendered through its art. Considered as the only such openair ‘art fair’ in Sri Lanka, the Kala Pola attracts many visitors, local and foreign, benefiting established as well as aspiring artists over the years. It is a source of new assignments, technical knowledge and lucrative financial opportunities, both within and outside the event. Kala Pola, therefore is a success story of mutual partnership between two complementary industries for the common good. Similar events take place around the world at international level, having proven to be an effective mechanism in popularising local art. While in Europe and the West art fairs have been around for a longer period, South Asia has also adopted them successfully in recent times. A good example is the 18th Asian Art Biennale, a mega event was held in Bangladesh, organised by Bangladesh Cultural Affairs Ministry and Bangladesh, Shilpakala Academy (BSA). It was noted that biggest hurdles faced by local artists is poor exposure, lack of promotional opportunities and high cost of art material. This is further aggravated by the absence of patronage from the State to support and revive art in Sri Lanka. The panel particularly expressed their regret that no initiative or interest is demonstrated by the relevant local Ministry to revive Sri Lankan Art and culture. They noted their disappointment that the National Art Gallery had been shut down for the last four and a half years. George Keyts Foundation Vice President and former diplomat Nihal Rodrigo suggested the possibility of promoting Sri Lankan art through diplomatic network abroad. Many countries already use this channel to promote their countries through art. One such model is where the State establishes a library of art, from which diplomats may ‘borrow’ pieces. In the absence of State funds, the local private sector could come forward to support use this opportunity, in return benefiting richly from the exposure. The role played by social media was also highlighted as important, for local art to penetrate the global market. Inspired by the Kala Pola, www. srilankanartgallery.com, the online Sri Lankan Art Gallery hosted by John Keells, provides an opportunity for Sri Lankan artists to display their work free-of-charge throughout the year to a global clientele.