‘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

Gallery Talk

‘Sonics of the Free Trade Zone’ with Jesper Nordahl, Anomaa Rajakaruna and Padmini Weerasooriya

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Performance

Women’s Centre Choir

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Curator’s Tour

with Thinal Sajeewa

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Curator’s Tour

with Sandev Handy

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Online

Workshop

‘Be Your Own Architect’ with Yuxin Cong (for ages 10–15)

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Workshop

‘Creating a Stamp of Minnette’ with Kiyawana Muddara (for ages 18 and above)

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Reading Group

‘Imagining Minnette’ with Irushi Tennekoon and Ruhanie Perera

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Workshop

‘Make Your Ideal Space’ with Shenuka Corea (for ages 8–13)

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Reading Group

Reading Group: ‘On Minnette De Silva and Architectural Method’ with Tariq Jazeel

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Sri Lankan Contemporary
Video Works and Panel Discussion

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Workshop

‘Comic Making and Storytelling’ with Shenuka Corea (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

‘Zinemaking and Art Journaling’ with Zainab Hudha (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

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

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Workshop

‘Literary Translation’ with Saambavi Sivaji (for ages 16 and above)

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Workshop

‘Zinemaking and Art Journaling’ with Zainab Hudha (for ages 16 and above)

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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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For Kids

Special Children’s Day Curator’s Tour with Sharmini Pereira

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Kids’ Activity Session

‘My Happy Place’ (for ages 9–12)

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Kids’ Activity Session

‘Tin Foil Figures’ (for ages 6–8)

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Kids’ Activity Session

‘Mind Maps’ (for ages 9–12)

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For Educators

Workshop

‘Be Your Own Architect’ with Yuxin Cong (for ages 10–15)

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Workshop

‘Creating a Stamp of Minnette’ with Kiyawana Muddara (for ages 18 and above)

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Workshop

‘Make Your Ideal Space’ with Shenuka Corea (for ages 8–13)

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Workshop

‘Comic Making and Storytelling’ with Shenuka Corea (for ages 16 and above)

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Upcoming Programmes

October 26

Curator’s Tour

with Thinal Sajeewa

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October 12

Curator’s Tour

with Thinal Sajeewa

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September 27

Gallery Talk

‘Sonics of the Free Trade Zone’ with Jesper Nordahl, Anomaa Rajakaruna and Padmini Weerasooriya

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