Preview:  Wednesday 8 March 2023, 7.30 - 9pm

Runs until: Thursday 6 April 2023

We are pleased to invite you to the preview of Anushiya Sundaralingam's exhibition ‘Rip it up and start again’ at ISLAND Arts Centre.

About the exhibition:

‘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 Centre, Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn BT27 4RL

Open Mon-Sat from 9.30am-4.30pm, plus additional evening hours dependant on programme.