ARTRA Magazine launches Ismeth Raheem edition and art festival in Colombo

Launch of the magazine

Featured artist  Ismeth  Raheem signing the magazine

Editor in chief of ARTRA Magazine Azara Jaleel and featured artist Ismeth Raheem launching tha ARTRA Magazine 

ARTRA Magazine last night celebrated the launch of its latest edition, ‘The Art and Design of Ismeth Raheem’ with an experiential art festival in Colombo. The event which will run till Sunday (8), is being held at three prominent venues: Galle Face Hotel, Harold Pieris Gallery and de Soysa House.

The evening kicked off with a fusion of art, conversation and festivities in honour of the renowned artist, architect and historian Ismeth Raheem. This edition of ARTRA Magazine showcase over 65 of Raheem’s selected works, including paintings, drawings, wood panels, woodcuts and etching spanning six decades.

The features artworks highlight Raheem’s creative journey since the 1960s when he joined the prestigious architectural firm Edwards, Reid and Begg, during a period of cultural renaissance in Sri Lanka. His collaborations with legendary figures like Geoffrey Bawa and Ulrisk Plesner were pivotal in shaping this era of artistic and architectural innovation in the country.

Pix by Shehan Gunasekara