Inoka Samarasekara
PhD Art, Design & Media
Thesis title:
Acts of Preservation and Renewal: Remaking traditional Sri Lankan jewellery impacted by colonisation and globalisation
The thesis contributes to the field of craft and material culture of South and South-East Asia. It argues for the importance of the preservation of tangible and intangible craft heritage of Sri Lanka impacted by colonisation and globalisation. It contends that it is crucial to reimagine the richly textured Sri Lankan craft culture and appreciate the complexities that are emerging in the post-national global order. Within the framework of social imaginary, the research documents the symbolic and iconographic meanings brought together in Sri Lankan traditional jewellery including traditional bridal regalia. I contend that these objects manifest the many cultural influences that comprise contemporary Sri Lanka and through annotated drawings explore and reimagine Sri Lankan jewellery craft culture. In combination with the discipline of noticing, the development of the drawings will direct my practicebased research component. The annotated drawings of historical jewellery will function as an archive for future generations and counter the global dispersal of the antique jewellery of Sri Lanka.
Inoka Samarasekara is a PhD Art, Design and MediaÌý²õ³Ù³Ü»å±ð²Ô³Ù.
Acknowledgement of Country
UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
