Catharina Danial Sri Lankan , b. 1991

"Time can make a feeling fade but the memory of a first love never fades away." - Samuel Timothy McGraw

‘My art is a representation of the beauty of my home, Yaalpanam-Jaffna. Through my work, I recollect my lived experiences of Jaffna before and after the war, and how it changed over time. I recreate them through landscapes. I translate my memories into works addressing the vividness of childhood recollections- Though faded, they hold significant emotional value.

My work employs collage and mixed media as a conceptual framework to explore memory and heritage. The palette dominated by earth tones and monochromatic hues creates an antique, nostalgic atmosphere that invites reflection. Through layered textures and subtle gilding, the works reconstruct Yaalpanam, not as a static relic, but as a living, evolving memory. The exhibition aims to offer viewers an immersive encounter with this reimagined Yaalpanam, encouraging personal reflection and dialogue. My intention is to create a space where the audience does not merely observe, but emotionally interacts with the work.

This exhibition expresses the essence of Yaalpanam as I experience it - a blend of nostalgia, resilience, and beauty. My practice is rooted in archiving: the homes, kitchens, daily lifestyles, traditions, and histories I have witnessed and inherited. I cannot return to those days, but through my art, I keep them alive.’

- Catharina Danial