Barefoot Gallery, formerly known as The Colombo Gallery (1967-1971), reopened in 1991 as ‘Gallery 706 Colombo’ and has been known under its current name since 1999. At present, it is able to generate funds from the exhibitions it hosts, where the Gallery receives a commission from sales of the exhibits. Barefoot Gallery serves as a platform for artists, musicians, poets, and filmmakers. The space is used in a variety of ways: exhibitions by local and foreign artists and photographers, (including The World Press Photo 2000-2003), concerts, poetry readings, film nights, and plays. It has a café on its premises and hosts private dinners and parties at night. In this way, Barefoot helps cultivate the arts and is one of the more exciting and cutting edge spaces in Sri Lanka.
A Personal Piece : The Barefoot Gallery space has always encouraged free expression of the personal; regardless, of who you are or where you are from, it allows one the prerogative to be yourself. Everyone is welcome.
The Barefoot Gallery emerged at a period in Sri Lankan history that was considered repressive. Some of the best art in Sri Lanka came from that time and we still see vestiges of it today. A few artists mentioned here include: Jagath Weerasinghe, Anoli Perera, Druvinka, Thenuwara, Muhanned Cader, and Amarajeewa.
Now we are at another less clearly defined period in history which art and dialogue can help us understand. At this time a space within which artists can be themselves and imagine is ever more vital to the discourse of a nation which is only beginning to understand itself. While war can secure borders, art and personal connections can form identity and community.
Thus, the artists represented by the Barefoot Gallery collective at Colombo Art Biennale’s inauguration depict their version of ‘imagining peace’ Alex Stewart’s: Fragments on a Path, Druvinka’s: Beneath, Beyond & Above and Nelun Harsagama’s: ‘Samsara’.
In that sense the Gallery can offer personal pieces of a yet to coalesce whole.
