And she will mark every child with the Ash of her shawl
By Tina Edward Gunawardhana
Nature, with its beauty, resilience, and permanence, is essential to my sense of peace and creativity. I feel most at home and at peace in the sea, though after the tsunami, I couldn’t even look at it for two years.
As part of the Sri Lanka Design Festival under the banner of Mercedes Benz Art celebrated artist Anoma Wijewardene will be one of three speakers addressing the salient topic of Art and Women as a catalyst for change. Additionally her work will also be displayed at the Mercedes Benz Lounge at Cinnamon Life city of dreams. In this thought provoking interview anoma speaks about how art can amplify the struggles and triumphs of women and gender empowerment.
Q:Your work is a profound celebration of women’s resilience in the face of devastation. What was the inspiration behind this theme, and how do you believe art can amplify the struggles and triumphs of women today?
Inspiration may be part of it, but it’s primarily astonishment, sorrow, and a profound sense of injustice that drives me. In 2024, when many women are shattering glass ceilings and excelling in various fields, and a minority woman is running for the highest office, it is painful to see how many still struggle for equality. In many countries, violence against women has risen, both in their homes and on the streets, and their freedom of choice remains restricted by patriarchal systems. Art may not resolve these issues, but it has the power to influence in subtle, pervasive ways by reaching hearts where raw facts often cannot. As an artist, this is my tool for addressing these concerns. I may not march in protests as I did in my youth, but I continue to advocate from my studio.
Q: As an artist, how do you navigate the tension between representing the progress women have made and the ongoing challenges they face, such as violence, misogyny, and limited freedoms in certain societies?
There is much to celebrate in the progress and hard-won victories achieved by women, yet it is especially painful to witness the setbacks. In these post Me Too times, when women are ascending to high offices, they still face misogyny. In some regions, rights that women fought for, like reproductive freedom, have been revoked in recent years. It’s a difficult dichotomy to navigate—many women are in the best of times, while for others, the struggle has intensified.
November 24, 2024
