Ena de Silva (1922-2015) was a modern artist who significantly contributed to the revival of traditional craft and the development of modern art in Sri Lanka.

Ena was born into a prestigious Kandyan family in Sri Lanka. In 1962, she initiated her collaboration with architect Geoffrey Bawa by entrusting him with the construction of her residence in Colombo. This collaboration led her to design numerous batiks that adorned iconic structures such as the Bentota Beach Hotel (now Cinnamon Bentota Beach) and the Sri Lankan Parliament. Her batiks were also featured in the decoration of the Ceylon Pavilion at the 1970 Osaka World Expo.

In 1961, together with her son Anil Gamini Jayasuriya and renowned sculptor, painter, and artist Laki Senanayake, Ena commenced textile and batik design at her home studio in Colombo. Subsequently, she established and conducted several workshops in the country, and collaborated with local women to revitalize traditional crafts, including batik and embroidery. These workshops contributed to the employment and empowerment of women in the surrounding areas.

Ena de Silva’s works currently can be seen in many hotels across Sri Lanka, particularly those featuring Bawa architecture, and are also exhibited at the M+ Museum of Visual Culture in Hong Kong.

One of workshops established in Ena de Silva’s family home in Matale is still in operation, and was renamed as Aluwihare Heritage Centre in 2015 after Ena’s death. It continues to produce batiks and embroidery with the involvement of women who collaborated with Ena during her lifetime.

The exhibition will newly handcrafted batik pieces produced in collaboration with the Ena de Silva Foundation and Aluwihare Heritage Centre. Notable pieces include ‘Sun Burst’, which adorns the entrance of Bawa’s Residence ‘No. 11’ in Colombo, and the iconic ‘Tree of Life’, each of which are making their debut in Japan.

We have selected works centered around Ena de Silva’s batiks which adorn Bawa architecture, and which also, perhaps surprisingly, are in perfect accordance and harmony with Japanese living spaces and aesthetic principles. Additionally, the series of cushions featuring hand-embroidered designs surely will appeal to Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.

All exhibited items are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis.

Amila de Mel (Trustee, Ena de Silva Foundation)

Amila de Mel is an architect with an interest in alternate construction technologies, archiving and arts and crafts. Having worked with Architect Geoffrey Bawa from 1991 to 1995, principally on the Kandalama Hotel, she went on to set up her own practice, ‘ADM Architects’ in the year 2000.

Amila was instrumental in the documentation and relocation of Geoffrey Bawa’s iconic Ena de Silva House, from Colombo 03, to the Geoffrey Bawa’s country estate, ‘Lunuganga’ in Bentota.

She has served on the National Board of Habitat for Humanity, Sri Lanka, serves as a Trustee of the Ena de Silva foundation and as a Partner of the Aluwihare Heritage Centre.　

Jonathan Edward (Curator for the Tokyo Exhibition)

Jonathan Edward is an interdisciplinary practitioner with a background in architecture. Having studied at the City School of Architecture in Colombo followed by a five year apprenticeship with Amila de Mel at ADM Architects, he now runs his own creative practice in Colombo, working at the intersection of architecture, art, design and craft.

Jonathan is the consultant exhibition designer for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Sri Lanka and serves as an advisor to the Ena de Silva Foundation and the Aluwihare Heritage Centre.

Running concurrently in the next gallery space will be an exhibition sale of textiles and homeware curated by Barefoot, beautiful items which are easily integrated into Japanese living spaces.

The proceeds from the exhibited items and the pop-up event will be used to cover the operational costs of the exhibition, support the Aluwihare Heritage Centre, and fund future exhibitions.

Promotion Video (Japanese)
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Promotion Video (English)
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This exhibition is organized by the Ena de Silva Exhibition Committee, a voluntary group formed in December 2023 by individuals who share the desire to showcase the charm of Sri Lankan art and crafts, which are rarely introduced in Japan.

This project began with a single remark from one of our members, Bandara Jayaratne, proprietor of the Sri Lankan restaurant ‘Bandara Lanka’ in Yotsuya, Tokyo.

‘Since coming to Japan in 2002, I was fortunate to open my long-awaited Sri Lankan restaurant in 2018 at the Artcomplex Center of Tokyo, which also houses a gallery space. After six years of operation, I want to give back by holding a Sri Lankan exhibition at this venue.’

From this single remark, the current project was born.

However, organizing the exhibition requires significant funds. Due to the rarity of the Ena de Silva vintage collection, taking the pieces out of Sri Lanka presents difficulties.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Ena de Silva Foundation and the Aluwihare Heritage Centre, we have been able to produce new works for this exhibition. Additionally, we have partnered with ‘Barefoot’, the renowned Sri Lankan textile store, to sell products and allocate the profits towards the costs of the exhibition. Despite these efforts, we still face challenges in covering all expenses.

Would you join us in our mission to showcase the charm of Sri Lankan art and crafts in Japan? We are looking for supporters who share our passion and can help us achieve our goal. Please consider contributing to our crowdfunding campaign.