MMCA to recognise and preserve modern and contemporary art

By Divya Thotawatte

In a bid to promote collection, conservation and research of modern art, the Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art Sri Lanka (MMCA) was launched last week with its first exhibition titled ‘one hundred thousand small tales.’

The museum is temporarily housed on the 17th floor of the Colombo lnnovation Tower and the exhibition is free and open to public. It is to be accompanied by an education and public engagement program for the exhibition’s three-month duration (12 December – 1, 2 March). ‘One hundred thousand small tales’ is curated by Sharmini Pereira. 

Ajit Gunewardene, Chair, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka, Founding Committee

Curator Sharmini Pereira

Ruhanie Perera, Curator, Education and Public Engagement for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

“This museum will be dedicated to the collection, display, conservation and discussion about modern and contemporary art and, in Sri Lanka there aren’t any institutions that do that. There are many good museums but most of them look at history which is not inclusive of the contemporary art. Therefore, this is something we have established because we have a rich art history in the country which crosses over from painting and photography to film, design and to craft,” Pereira said.  

She further added: “This history is also something that, if we don’t establish a facility like a museum, we’re not going to have it any longer because it’s either going to be sold, leave the country or perish. Conservation is key and the climate in the country is not kind to art, it is the reason that we have to establish a museum. We also need to teach and educate our audiences and learn through art about what artists are talking about. Often that is about the society that we live in.”

Through a strong education focus that celebrates diversity, inclusivity and new voices, the museum will champion the new art histories related to art, architecture, craft, design and film from the modern period to the contemporary. 

Embracing inclusivity, which is at the heart of its existence, the MMCA will follow a trilingual policy on all written materials. The museum will also start to address the urgent conservation needs faced by many of the country’s important modern and contemporary artworks.

Speaking on the purpose behind the setting up of the museum, MMCA Education and Public Engagement Curator Ruhanie Perera said that education was at the heart of the MMCA in terms of how the communities are being engaged in the work. She explained that it would be a public museum dedicated to the display, education, research, and conservation of modern and contemporary art, where education would underpin and drive work at every level. 

“Our work over the coming years will be informed by a commitment we make to inclusivity, collaboration, sustainability and transformation. We opened with a special preview for educators’ and we will roll out our targeted schools and universities program in January where we will welcome teachers and students to the museum. These are the beginnings of conversations that we want to learn from and grow,” she elaborated. 

The first exhibition of the ‘Museum in the making’ initiative is to be funded by private individuals including the John Keells Foundation which has over 30 years history in supporting arts and culture in Sri Lanka. However, according to the committee, the long-term sustainability of this initiative would require more widespread funding including public and corporate membership and endowments.

“It was clear to us that the museums of Sri Lanka have sought to preserve our past glory, at the exclusion of our modern and contemporary histories. Globally, museums are now striving to be places where all sections of society can be reflected in its collections, displays and educational programming. Sri Lanka’s rich historic culture gives credence to the island to lead the way in the region as a modern and contemporary museum destination,” said MMCA Founding Committee Chair Ajit Gunawardena.

Pix by Ruwan Walpola