‘Art is a Feeling’

Project Manager, Puja Srivastava tells us how an artwork reminds her about her own life as a mother.

Art is a feeling cover

The name of this artwork is ‘Cradle’.
It was made in 2012 by the artist Manori Jayasinghe (b. 1972).

This work is made with safety pins. See the full caption

 

Download this worksheet as a pdf

 

(1) “As a mother, looking after my children and keeping them safe are very important to me.”

(2) “Being a mother is amazing, but it’s also very difficult. We need to find a way to make their life as safe and comfortable as possible.”

(3) “This work makes me think of how challenging it is to be a parent. The cradle is a space where a baby is meant to rest, where they can sleep peacefully and safely. The safety pins bring us back to the harsh reality of the world.”

(4) “What does this make you feel?”⁣

From this worksheet I will find out:
–I can identify emotions in relation to a place, or even an artwork
–I can make something creative thinking about how I feel

Step 1
Think of something that’s very important to you. This can be something you own, a feature about you that you’re proud of or something that makes you special.

Step 2
How do these things make you feel? Do they make you feel happy? Do you get excited each time you think about it? Sometimes you might not have words to describe it, and that’s okay.

Step 3
How can you show this without words? Look at Manori Jayasinghe’s ‘Cradle’. She tries to show us what she is feeling without using any words. Can you believe that this artwork is made of lots and lots of safety pins? What do you think she is trying to say with the safety pins? You can do this too. You can draw a picture of your favourite place at home, even a song that you love. Just remember: no words.

Step 4
Show it to others! Show what you have created to your friends and family. Ask them what they feel when looking at the artwork. Is it the same feeling you had?

Onsite

Reading Group

with Prof. Neloufer de Mel

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Gallery Talk

‘Language Politics of the Everyday’ with Dr. Kaushalya Perera

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Curator’s Tour

with Sharmini Pereira

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Curator’s Tour

with Sandev Handy

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Online

Workshop

‘My Safe Haven’ with Aadhi Jayaseelan (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

‘Sewing and Embroidery’ with Hema Shironi, Sabeen Omar, and Shahdia Jamaldeen (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

‘Hello Again’ with Seema Omar and Shivani Jobanputra (for children aged 12–16 and their parents)

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Workshop

‘The Story of the Osariya’ with Tikiri and Co (for ages 8–13)

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Workshop

‘Upcycling T-shirts’ with Lonali Rodrigo (for ages 16 and above)

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Gallery Talk

‘Artists in Exile’ with Sandev Handy

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Workshop

‘Art with Family’ with Collective of Contemporary Artists (CoCA) (all ages)

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Workshop

Visual Journaling with Safiya Sideek (for ages 18 and above)

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Workshop

Botanical Drawing with Sanath Herath (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

Visual Journaling with Safiya Sideek (for ages 18 and above)

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Workshop

Sewing and Embroidery with Hema Shironi and Shahdia Jamaldeen (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

‘(Y)our Story’ with Jake Oorloff (15–18 yrs)

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Workshop

Botanical Drawing with Sanath Herath

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#SupportLocalArt Talk

The Power of Diplomacy

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#SupportLocalArt Talk

The Power of Humour

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For Kids

Puzzle Day

(all ages)

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Workshop

‘Hello Again’ with Seema Omar and Shivani Jobanputra (for children aged 12–16 and their parents)

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Workshop

‘The Story of the Osariya’ with Tikiri and Co (for ages 8–13)

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Puzzle Day

(all ages)

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For Educators

Workshop

‘My Safe Haven’ with Aadhi Jayaseelan (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

‘Sewing and Embroidery’ with Hema Shironi, Sabeen Omar, and Shahdia Jamaldeen (for ages 16 and above)

Learn More

Workshop

‘Hello Again’ with Seema Omar and Shivani Jobanputra (for children aged 12–16 and their parents)

Learn More

Workshop

‘The Story of the Osariya’ with Tikiri and Co (for ages 8–13)

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Upcoming Programmes

May 27

Reading Group

with Prof. Neloufer de Mel

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June 01

Gallery Talk

‘Language Politics of the Everyday’ with Dr. Kaushalya Perera

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May 28

Curator’s Tour

with Sharmini Pereira

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