(2004-10-19)

Joy Gregory is the first artist to participate in the LUNUGANGA TRUST / VAFA UK ARTIST’S RESIDENCY programme, which has been organised by Sharmini Pereira and is hosted by The Lunuganga Trust and Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts, Colombo.

The aim of the programme is to provide a UK artist with an environment in Sri Lanka from which to develop their practice and/or launch upon a body of new work and ideas, as well as to facilitate dialogue and contact between the local art scene and the visiting artist through the frameworks of an art school environment.

Joy is currently enjoying the first part of her residency based at Lunuganga, the former country home of celebrated Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, a stunning location where water monitors, iguanas and fireflies are common sights in the garden. Here she will have uninterrupted time and space to develop and realise work researched during her NESTA Fellowship without the constraints of everyday.

From the end of October the she will be based at Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts in Colombo and have opportunity to exchange ideas and participate in discussions with art community of Sri Lanka. Towards the end of her stay the Joy will run a 5-day workshop for students exploring some of the magic of contemporary photography.

The LUNUGANGA/VAFA UK Residency will culminate in a formal lecture at the British Council, Colombo and an open studio where she will show some of the work from residency alongside that of the students from the workshop.

23rd – 27th November 2004
Photography Workshop at VAFA
(Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts)

1st December 2004
Artist Talk – In Conversation with Sharmini Pereira
British Council Council, Colombo

3rd – 5th December 2004
Open Studio
Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts

Supported by The Arts Council, British Council & NESTA

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