“Discovery” - a photographic ode to Colombo’s streets

From left: Eminent Photographer and Member of the Panel of Judge Dominic Sansoni, Eminent Photographer and Member of the Panel of Judges Lakshman Nadarajah, Internationally Renowned Street Photographer Alfredo D’Mato, Streets of Colombo Founder Johann Latiff, David Blacker of Streets of Colombo and Moderator ARTRA Magazine Editor-in-Chief Azaara Jaleel 

Judge's Choice Award - Ishan Gunasekara for King of the Lane

Judge's Choice Award - Rishada Fauz for Pettah's Playful Streets

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Area Vice President Colombo and Cinnamon Grand Colombo General Manager Kamal Munasinghe

By Tania de Silva

Through the hustle and bustle of Colombo, a transformative art movement is emerging from the shadows. Street photography, historically overlooked in Sri Lanka’s rich culture of artistic traditions, is now capturing the spotlight. It stands out for its raw, unvarnished portrayal of daily life, turning seemingly ordinary street scenes into compelling narratives of the human condition.

This resurgence of interest in the candid moments of urban life culminates in the upcoming ‘Discovery’ exhibition, a collaborative venture between the Streets of Colombo (SOC) and Cinnamon Hotels. Scheduled for the end of this year, the exhibition is more than a gallery of images; it’s a voyage into the heart of the city, offering a fresh perspective on everyday life.

The visionary founder of SOC Johan Latiff, articulated the essence of this movement at a press conference held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on 29 August. His ambition to encapsulate and share the spirit of Colombo’s streets resonated with photographers from across the island, fostering a community united by a passion for capturing life’s unscripted moments.

The ‘Discovery’ exhibition transcends conventional art display. It embodies a commitment to reciprocate the inspiration derived from the streets. The proceeds will benefit SOS Children’s Villages in Sri Lanka, reflecting a profound sense of gratitude and duty towards the subjects that have inspired their art.

Kamal Munasinghe and Brandon Ingram of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts highlighted the exhibition’s potential to transform Colombo’s image as a tourist destination. Contrary to the perception of limited appeal, they emphasised the city’s hidden charms and untold stories waiting to be discovered through these photographs.

The event was graced with insightful dialogues featuring esteemed photographers such as, Dominic Sansoni and David Blacker. Their perspectives on the spontaneous and liberating nature of street photography served as an inspiration to the photographic community, challenging and invigorating both seasoned and aspiring artists.

The inception of SOC in 2018 marked a pivotal turn in Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape. Beginning as a modest Instagram group, it quickly expanded, especially during the Aragalaya movement. Today, SOC represents a wide array of photographers from across Sri Lanka, each contributing their unique viewpoint to this collective tapestry.

The ‘Discovery’ exhibition is a perfect example for the subjective essence of street photography. A panel of respected judges, including Sansoni and Laxman Nadarajah, handpicked 52 photographs from numerous submissions, each representing a distinct story of life on the streets.

As the ‘Discovery’ exhibition nears, it becomes clear that street photography in Sri Lanka is more than just an art form. It’s a vivid chronicle of life in its most honest form, transforming Colombo’s streets into living galleries. These narratives, frozen in time by the lenses of various photographers, offer a window into the city’s soul, turning the streets of Colombo into a vibrant showcase of human experiences and stories. - Pix by Ruwan Walpola