We are pleased to invite you to preview two solo exhibitions at ISLAND Arts Centre. Gallery one features Homeira Kiani Rad's 'Kilim' and gallery two has Anushiya Sundaralingam's ‘Rip it up and start again’.
Gallery 1
Homeira Kiani Rad's exhibition 'Kilim':
Originally from Iran, Homeira has a degree in traditional Persian miniature art. Now based in Belfast she completed an MA in Applied Arts at the Ulster University. Over the years Homeira has shown in many group shows, including the Royal Ulster Academy, this solo exhibition features work that is influenced by both eastern and western styles of art. From a past time, miniature inspired, highly detailed paintings are complemented by works that, while contemporary in style, are rooted in tradition.
'My current work explores Persian motifs. I combine colourful traditional geometric patterns with modern art. The body of work in this exhibition was created over a mindful and momentous two years of discovery and spiritual connection. The repetitive nature of drawing meticulously detailed line drawings simultaneously demonstrates both chaos and calm. I enjoyed using luminous and low saturated colours to create these new works.'
Gallery 2
Anushiya Sundaralingam's exhibition ‘Rip it up and start again’:
‘When I left Sri Lanka in 1989, I left behind my roots, culture, identity and tradition. Over the years my work has been influenced by many different aspects of living in Northern Ireland, however the sights and sounds of my childhood still influence and continue to inspire my work. My current work reflects on challenges of identity and the nature of belonging. In particular how our relationship with our environment shapes our sense of self and place; and how displacement, whether by choice or not, affects this.’
For this exhibition Anushiya has taken the sari, a traditional item of Sri Lankan clothing, and reworked metres and metres of cloth to tell a new story of the generations of women who wore this fabric. Collected saris from the Sri Lankan diaspora, many passed down in families, have been ripped and refashioned to create new works. Fabrics, from everyday settings to special occasion wear, are imbued with meaning – life’s emotions are here - sadness, joy, celebration, nostalgia. This exhibition speaks of Sri Lankan communities throughout the world yet reflects on that very basic human condition we all share, identity, and what it means.
ISLAND Arts Virtual Gallery
ISLAND Arts provided opportunities for artists to show their work virtually during the time that ISLAND Arts Centre was closed due to the pandemic.
Here you will find a collection of virtual exhibitions that we promoted via social media. Now archived, the virtual resource is available here to view.
