International Art Residency 2008 has looked at the idea of performance and sculpture where artists were expected to bring out challenging ideas and innovative work.  Ferial Affif, a performance artist from Indonesia, Suresh Kumar Goppalreddy, a sculptor and performance artist from India and Ernestine White, an installation artist and sculptor from South Africa participated in the residency where they have brought in interesting and valuable insights into residency work practices. Local artists who took part in the residency are Bandu Manamperi and Janani Cooray who have achieved recognition as strong performance artists, and two sculptors Sarath Kumarasiri and Anura Krishantha who are known for their socio-politically critical work such as ‘No Glory’ and ‘Stolen Wreaths’.
 
What is interesting in this residency is the idea of recording the work process as a narrative incorporating the ideas, moods, work sketches, collected items visually as if entries in a diary. This was done on a wall in their residence which is part of the final exhibition.  By doing this the artists have given emphasis to idea that the ‘final work itself is incomplete without its process as process is an integral part of the final work’.  This idea heavily contextualizes their work within the residency.  The discussions, the collective enjoyment, collective anxieties and excitements of exploration of the new have defined and shaped their work. This aspect can be seen in most of the work done for the residency. 

The Theertha International Artists’ Residency Program is sponsored by the Ford Foundation via Triangle Arts Trust to support artists’ mobility through the ‘Network’ of South Asian artists.  Theertha is a member of the Network with Khoj (India), Vasl (Pakistan), Sutra (Nepal) and Britto Arts Trust (Bangladesh).

Images of the residency >>>