With the letters CAB splashed across in places of interest denoting ‘Colombo Art Biennale’, and the general hype around town as art lovers and others alike anticipate the great and inaugural event to come, it was more than apt that we met up with the brains behind the whole concept and may I add, the person steering the project. "In January of this year, during the Galle Literary Festival, I organised an exhibition for the Theertha artists and on the opening night I was sitting with some friends…" began Annoushka Hempel, Founder and Director of the Colombo Art Biennale, an art enthusiast of long years. While the conversation evolved from a fringe of an idea of extending the exposure of art from just within galleries to more out there, so did the concept. As things fell into place and many hands joined in with the general yet varied ebullience for this magnificent outcome, the Art Biennale, Colombo’s very first with promises of being exhilarating, took shape. "The idea grew almost like a child being born and growing up very quickly," she expressed speaking for the snowball effect of the whole project. She furthered to add that although she has been steering the plan, the Biennale has taken on a life of its own.

"Upon seeing the Park Street Mews warehouses, I thought it’d be rude not to have an exhibition there," laughed Annoushka adding that it was indeed refreshing to conceive of taking art out of the galleries and into the urban spaces. Focusing on installation art (an artistic genre of site-specific, three-dimensional works designed to transform the perception of a space), which Annoushka feels give artists room to be more creative, the Art Biennale is going to showcase the works of 50 artists – 40 Sri Lankan and 10 foreign; the foreign artists comprise of those who are closely associated with the island by way of either living here or exhibiting their work here prior to this. "There were lots of applications from around the world from artists wanting to participate but we’ve had to say no; this is our very first Biennale and we’ve only been working on the idea since February and this is also a little country, so we are focusing on Sri Lankan exhibits for the first time," explained the Director. With the lens directed towards Sri Lankan artists, she feels that this would create a platform for them from which Sri Lankan contemporary art can be showcased to the rest of the world. "We are putting Sri Lankan on the art map through the Biennale."

Annoushka had a childhood in London very much enveloped by art. She laughingly recalled how her mom, an artist herself, used to drag her around even in a pram to places of artistic interest. "I always had the love of the arts and I always had the dream of living somewhere tropical, where I can be barefoot and where the weather is not too cold…" she reminisced with a smile. With a great exposure to art, she worked closely with African art and also worked on a book relating to the subject. With this innate love for art fringing her childhood years, she recalled how she would quite often go through her mom’s art books, spend time with her in her art studio and also spend hours alone painting. "I’ve always been fascinated with people and I’ve always found art to be an interesting reflection of different people," she let in.

Another side of Annoushka’s life sees her enjoying a very close and longstanding (more than 20 years) relationship with yoga, a form of relaxation in her life, especially during this trying time of guiding an Art Biennale. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arts and Archaeology at the SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) before which she worked with an art gallery in London particularly focusing on arts of Asia. Apart from these, Annoushka gained experience in public relations and organizing events as well. "All these different facets in my life are pulled in to help me steer this project," she offered.

The first time Annoushka came to Sri Lanka was with her mother. "I had a complete love affair with the country and had a life changing experience," she recounted with a laugh. The following year, she brought her brother and eldest son and the third time she came to teach yoga. "It is then that I decided to live here." Nearly seven years ago, Annoushka, her husband and two boys – Otto and Milo – moved to Galle. "That is where I opened an art gallery and yoga studio," she explained. Annoushka’s gallery titled ‘Gallery 71’ began to have regular exhibitions, showcasing 80% Sri Lankan artists. "It was then that I got to know Sri Lankan artists and began creating relationships with lots of the artists whose works I was exhibiting."

When the tsunami struck in December 2004, Annoushka offered her gallery for Project Galle, an emergency relief programme to aid tsunami victims and subsequently, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, decided to come to Colombo with her family. "Throughout this period, the whole art was on hold," she said.

Settled in Sri Lanka, which she definitely calls home, Annoushka feels it is time that Sri Lanka receives a greater audience. "In most countries, the capital city of the country is the hub of culture and although Sri Lanka has considerable exposure in its traditional culture, its modern culture is not so. The capital city, particularly, needs to be the hub of creativity," she gave.

Painting her personality as enthusiastic, loving a challenge and hardworking, Annoushka moved on to add that she loves creating opportunities for artists and an opportunity for this country that she has grown to love so much. "My children are my companions and inspiration in life and if ever I’m too stressed or angry, they are always the ones who point it out in a very nice way," she grinned.

Loving the idea of being a catalyst in helping make something that really deserves to happen, come true she explained that the very first Art Biennale in Sri Lanka is not impressive only because of its scale. "50 different artists coming together under one roof – all from diverse backgrounds and schools of thought – is itself an act of peace," she enthused touching on the theme of the entire Biennale which is ‘Imagining Peace’. The theme does not denote the representation of peace but one’s imagination of what peace would look like.

"This is the first and is only a launch pad. It’s an introduction of many more to come and the next one will be on a much bigger scale," avowed Annoushka with a spark in her eye.

The Colombo Art Biennale will take place from the 10th to the 14th of September. While the main venue will be 50/1, Park Street, Colombo 2, there will also be 20 other satellite venues around town which viewers can tour with the aid of maps that will be available at the main venue.

Pics by Dinuka Liyanawatte