Kintsugi: A Journey to Healing through Harmony
Original article | Published: 25 Jan 2025 | By Rishini Weeraratne, Daily Mirror
The 58th Venice Biennale in 2019 provided the perfect stage for a ground-breaking exhibition that seamlessly intertwined art, culture, and philosophy, striking a deep chord with audiences across the globe. Making history as the first solo exhibition by a Sri Lankan artist at the prestigious event, Anoma Wijewardene’s Kintsugi captivated visitors with its profound message of resilience, unity, and transformation. Rooted in the Japanese art of Kintsugi; the technique of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer to create objects of beauty, the exhibition offered a powerful metaphor for healing and renewal. In a world rife with uncertainty and division, Kintsugi emerged as an artistic milestone, celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the strength found in mending what is broken. This fusion of tradition and contemporary expression resonated as a poignant statement on cross-cultural dialogue and artistic innovation.
At the core of Kintsugi lies a collection of evocative paintings that embody the themes of fragmentation, transformation, and renewal. Wijewardene’s layered compositions defy uniformity, instead presenting a dynamic exploration of fractured moments and the subsequent healing process. Bold strokes and intricate patterns symbolize the resilience of the human spirit, reflecting a journey from brokenness to wholeness. These pieces go beyond mere visual representations of repair; they emphasize the beauty in difference and the strength that emerges from unity. Visitors are invited to contemplate their role in the collective healing of a divided world, making the exhibition both deeply personal and universally relevant. Each artwork serves as a reminder that every crack holds the potential for transformation.
Adding an enriching literary dimension to the exhibition, celebrated Booker Prize-shortlisted author Romesh Gunesekera contributed his poetic reflections on themes of repair and reconciliation. His words, delicately woven into the visual experience, provide a profound counterpoint to Wijewardene’s paintings, enhancing the exhibition’s depth and emotional resonance. Gunesekera’s poetry, crafted with the same meticulous care as the gold lacquer that repairs shattered pottery, articulates the beauty of resilience and the necessity of healing. His lyrical contributions are not merely adjuncts to the artwork but integral components that offer visitors a layered reflection on overcoming brokenness. In a creative collaboration that mirrors the exhibition’s theme, Gunesekera’s process involved deconstructing a sonnet into 14 lines and transforming each into an individual poem. Wijewardene then paired each poem with a corresponding painting, resulting in a fusion of literature and visual art that epitomizes the essence of Kintsugi; turning fragmentation into something greater and more profound through collaboration.
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