Weaving surreal urban landscapes into corrugated cardboard
In Dreamscape, her first solo exhibition with the Saskia Fernando Gallery, artist Chathurika Jayani presents surreal landscapes on corrugated cardboard in her exploration of urban development and socialisation. Born in 1984 in Colombo, she completed her Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Visual and Performing Arts and has exhibited locally as well as in Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal.
A wife, mother and teacher, she says the past five years have seen increased recognition of her work that uses an unusual unconventional material.
“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 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,” she says.
She says she has focused on shantytowns as well as modern buildings and the contrast of these locations particular in the city of Colombo where they are seen one alongside the other.
Her recent work has also incorporated weaving and she explains that when trying out new material, thread was an ideal substitute for cardboard, for it allowed her to play with shape and form while also contrasting to the materials and colour she would usually use on her 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,” she says.
Chathurika Jayani’s exhibition is now on at the Saskia Fernando Gallery, No. 41, Horton Place, Colombo 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition continues until February 20.