Visual storyteller and marketer-turned artist Varsha Perera’s first solo exhibition in Sri Lanka was declared open at a star-studded event featuring art connoisseurs, celebrities, industry stakeholders, friends, family, well-wishers, content creators and media at the Harold Peiris Gallery, Lionel Wendt, Colombo 7. Deputy Head of the Political section of the European Union Mission in Colombo Caroline Lopes was the Chief Guest. A global audience from around the world also joined in via livestream across several platforms.

Ms.Lopes unveiled the showstopper piece of the exhibition titled “Samsaara”, which denotes the soul’s journey on a time continuum. “This thought provoking piece is definitely awe-inspiring and pushes the mind in to an endless journey of the soul through time. As an artist and traveler myself, it was a treat to be able to dive in to the mind of another artist and see the world as she sees it”, Ms.Lopes said.

Varsha also has the innate ability to bring to life words that have been penned by other “artists”. For instance, one of the pieces unveiled by the renowned musician duo Bathiya & Santhush captures the essence of their hit song “Mal Pan Podak”, while another gives life to Amarasiri Peiris’ poetic rendition “Iki Gasaa Handana” aptly titled “Love Unspoken”. Another special painting was Zen & Slay which was inspired by America Ferreira’s monologue from the Barbie movie.

The exhibition also featured several artistic collaborations bringing together artists of various forms. The pieces with Wes Products used a traditional “Gini Raksha” (Fire Demon) mask which was given a twist and titled “Devil is in the Details”, a literal interpretation of the mask itself. Meanwhile for the Thinking Hand Pottery collaboration it was aptly named “Terra Couture” that featured a painted design on a clay vase. Collaborating with Tina Edwards’ Cherub Batiks, two of Varsha’s art pieces titled “The Fire Within’ and “The Mind’s Eye” was transformed in to Batiks giving life to the design. Also on display was “Bucket Pro Max”, a mundane metal bucket turned in to a glamorous piece of art.

Speaking at the exhibition, the former prolific marketer turned artist commented on her journey of leaving the corporate world behind and foraying into the world of art. “While art was something I grew up with, it took me a few years to fully engulf myself in it. After decades in the corporate world both locally and internationally, two years ago I made a conscious decision to leave it behind and search for something more meaningful out of the life that has been handed to us. Thus began my self-exploratory journey through the history of art and its therapeutic nature.”

“I must take this opportunity to thank my parents for constantly being my support system from the time I was a mere child doodler on the walls of our home”, she added.

The exhibition was open to the public on 30^th of November and 1^st of December 2024 and featured a collection that attempts to understand the complexities of the mind, deep emotions, and powerful human connections that bind us.

Taking art and the experience of appreciating art to the digital sphere, the exhibition was also viewable through an Augmented Reality (AR) feature which enabled visitors and art enthusiasts to see the painting in the room of their choice at home or office to see firsthand how it would blend in with the surroundings. The immersive Virtual Exhibition that was launched at the event enables art lovers to easily interact with art in real time for a period of one month from launch date. Art enthusiasts can view and purchase art over the next few weeks and even use modern methods like MintPay and Koko to make payments for their purchases.

The exhibition was supported by Gold Sponsors Earthfoam, Christell Luxury Wellness, Anchor, Wine World, Black and Decker, and Silver Sponsor Art Cart.