Business
MMCA Sri Lanka and Selyn introduce a limited edition series of fabrics
The sarong and scarves drawing inspiration from two George Keyt paintings are must-have pieces for all art lovers!
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA Sri Lanka) has collaborated with the Design for Impact initiative by Selyn to create a set of fabrics that respond to two paintings by George Keyt (1901–1993). The limited edition sarong and two scarves have been produced using the design and elements of the paintings titled ‘The Kandyan Bride’ (1951) and ‘The Offering’ (1948). Both paintings were on display in Rotation 3 of ‘Encounters’, the second exhibition by the MMCA Sri Lanka which closed in March 2023.
The collaboration came about when Sharmini Pereira, Chief Curator of MMCA Sri Lanka approached Selyna Peiris, Director of Selyn with an invitation to create a unique Selyn fabric in response to the two paintings. Speaking about the partnership Pereira said, “We are delighted with the outcome of this initiative with Selyn because it demonstrates how contemporary designers can help us look at the work of modern artists anew. The Selyn designers produced items that are not only exquisitely made but conceptually rooted in the stories that are part of this country’s art history. Their agility to move from commercial large-scale products to limited edition collectables is something to be celebrated and definitely continued.”
After visiting the MMCA Sri Lanka to look at the two paintings by George Keyt, the designers from Selyn were able to identify the distinctive fabrics that Keyt was referencing in both paintings, specifically in relation to the osariya or Kandyan sari worn by the female figure in ‘The Kandyan Bride’ (1951). From here, they went away to research the fabrics in more depth, and over the next three months, they developed three distinctive handloom fabric designs that responded to each of the paintings. The intricate detailing and colours used by the designers Seemanthani Wanduragala, Jola Hauschild, and Lakshani Jayathilake not only responded to the colour palette used by Keyt but also explored the content of each painting conceptually.
For example, the fabric that responded to Keyt’s painting ‘The Offering’ (1948) combines the attires of the two figures in the painting into one fabric. The scarf is hence made up of green and purple stripes that borrow from the plaid clothing worn by the left-hand figure, which sits next to a contrasting panel of stripes that are drawn from the attire of the figure on the right-hand side of the painting. Like Keyt’s work, the scarf has a distinctive geometrical composition to it, alluding to the two figures and their symmetrical positioning on either side of the painting.
Inspired by the ambiguity that surrounds the relationship between the two figures, the Selyn design team have created a scarf that can be worn by anyone, regardless of their gender identity. The other two fabrics take inspiration from ‘The Kandyan Bride’ (1951), drawing from the osariya worn by the female figure in the painting.
Selyn’s handwoven fabric stems from a 2500-year history of handloom weaving in Sri Lanka. All fabrics are fair trade, vegan, cruelty-free, and handwoven by Selyn’s artisans based in their Wanduragala workshop.
Speaking on the partnership with the MMCA Sri Lanka, Selyna Peiris from Selyn said, “We are pleased to partner with the MMCA Sri Lanka to create this limited edition sarongs and scarves that celebrate how the familiar can be reimagined in the hands of other artists and designers. By wearing and gifting these products you are supporting the Selyn Foundation and the MMCA Sri Lanka.” She added that, “These fabrics have been produced under Selyn’s Design for Impact programme which is a joint initiative between Selyn and the Selyn Foundation, to collaborate with the world’s leading designers, brands, universities, and organisations to raise awareness about, revive, and sustain Sri Lanka’s craft industry, and its artisans who are mainly women. We are happy to collaborate with an organisation like the MMCA Sri Lanka which also provides cultural entrepreneurship, leadership development, and financial management skills and opportunities to women.”
To order your limited edition scarf or sarong, send a direct message on the MMCA Sri Lanka Instagram page instagram.com/mmcasrilanka/ or Facebook page facebook.com/mmcasrilanka/
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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