The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka kicks off second exhibition

• Titled ‘Encounters’ the exhibition of Sri Lankan modern and contemporary art will go on till end-August at Crescat Boulevard
• Open to public from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Fridays till 8.00 p.m.
• Exhibition brings together six encounters between artworks from the 1950s and present

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA Sri Lanka) yesterday kicked off its second exhibition titled ‘Encounters’ which will go on till 28 August at the museum’s new venue at Crescat Boulevard. 

‘Encounters’ is structured as a sequence of changing displays bringing together six ‘encounters’ between works of art created between the 1950s and the present by various artists such as George Keyt, Pradeep Thalawatta, Nelun Harasgama, Senaka Senanayake, Abdul Halik Azeez, and Janani Cooray.

The artworks and ephemera are showcased as part of ‘Encounters’ revolve around, and respond to, specially chosen paintings drawn from the John Keells and George Keyt Foundation Collections. ‘Encounters’ provides the public with a rare opportunity to view several artworks from two of the country’s most important collections of art. 

MMCA Sri Lanka Chief Curator Sharmini Pereira said: “We are excited to announce the launch of our second exhibition. The past two years have not been ideal for exhibition programming around the world, with the unexpected travel restrictions and lockdowns.” 

“We are really pleased that we can begin this year with a newly curated exhibition which includes 46 artworks by approximately 18 artists along with historically important magazines and photographs. The exhibition has been curated as a series of changing six displays, where five displays are on view for approximately two months and one display will remain on view for the entire six months. We encourage visitors to return to the exhibition for each display changeover as each ‘encounter’ will be different to the previous one.”

During the duration of ‘Encounters’, the MMCA Sri Lanka will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance to the museum and participation at all events in its public programme will be free-of-charge. For visitors who cannot easily visit during daytime opening hours, the museum will be open until 8 p.m. on Fridays. The museum is easily accessible by public and private transport at its new venue with ample parking available.  ‘Encounters’ is generously supported by the European Union, Foundation for Arts Initiatives, John Keells Foundation, and Asian Hotels and Properties PLC.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka is a cultural initiative focused on building a museum of modern and contemporary art for the country and fostering learning and engagement for as wide a public as possible. Alongside its curated exhibitions and education programmes, the museum is the first publicly accessible trilingual venue of its kind in Sri Lanka. For more information, visit www.mmca-srilanka.org or follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/mmcasrilanka and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmcasrilanka/ for updates.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara