Kintsugi, a book that brings together the artistic vision of Anoma Wijewardene and the literary brilliance of Romesh Gunesekera was launched at Celestine, Cinnamon Life recently. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of repairing broken ceramics with gold lacquer, the book symbolises resilience, renewal, and the beauty in imperfection. The collaboration features Wijewardene’s abstract paintings alongside Gunesekera’s poetry, creating a unique artistic dialogue.
Anoma Wijewardene, is a renowned contemporary artist whose Kintsugi installation was first showcased at the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019. Her work explores themes of climate change, identity, and unity through diversity.
Romesh Gunesekera is an acclaimed Sri Lankan-born British writer, best known for his Booker Prize-shortlisted novel Reef. His poetry in Kintsugi reflects themes of deconstruction and reconstruction, echoing the philosophy behind the artwork. The book is an extension of the Kintsugi art installation, which includes paintings, a video, a mirrored installation, and music by Oscar-nominated composer Sharon Smith. It explores the idea that beauty can emerge from brokenness, offering a meditation on healing, endurance, and collaboration across different art forms.
The book acts as both a standalone artistic piece and a deeper exploration of the Kintsugi exhibit, currently displayed at Level 2, Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The exhibit features laser-cut paintings, video projections, and a soundscape that complement the book’s themes of fragility and transformation.
