An Exhibition with a Difference

“ Euphoria” an exhibition by Shari Jayawardhana in collaboration with 20 disabled child artists will be held at the Gallery FourLife,  Colombo 5, from July 8-9 with the opening reception being held on July 8.   

According to Shari, a student of Saumya Jayasekera when she heard that the country’s pioneering institutions for the hearing - impaired students, the Deaf School Ratmalana and the Nuffield School for the Deaf and Blind , Jaffna do not charge a fee from its students and are therefore dependent on charitable donations, she decided to bring her passion for an inclusive society to hold an exhibition of this nature with the participation of the talented students.
When asked about the purpose behind the exhibition she said that it was to raise awareness about the lived experiences of children with disabilities.

    Shari is  a Programme Coordinator at the Women’s Education and Research Centre (WERC). In 2017 under the guidance of her Supervisor, Shiranee Mills she was instrumental in organising an art exhibition for school children in the 16-19 year age group under the theme ‘ Women and Work’ which also included the participation of children with   special needs.       

As for the name ‘ Euphoria’ for the art exhibition she says that it is because that together their work is about evoking a sense of joy and excitement to the viewer and is in a sense an escape from the daily struggles in life. 
Shari feels that if used strategically, art can influence the community in numerous ways including creating social harmony, exploring nature, bridging generational gaps and embracing life-long learning while also contributing to the economy. She also  feels that art is an excellent tool to open people‘s hearts and minds to social change. 

She hopes that this art exhibition will create a wider awareness and appreciation of the unique abilities  of hearing - impaired child artists. The disability inclusive lens used at the exhibition she hopes, will influence the community to address the various inequities faced by children with disabilities.        

The goal of ‘Euphoria’ is for viewers to leave inspired to make a change.

Part proceeds of the sale of Shari’s paintings and all proceeds from the work of the children will support education career prospects of these hearing impaired school children  at the School for the  Deaf in Ratmalana and Nuffield School or the Deaf and Blind Kaithady.
Text by  Kshalini Nonis