2022, watercolour monotype and drypoint Etching

Paper size: 37 cm x 24 cm

Image size: 27 cm x 19 cm

Image courtesy of the artist

Let’s spot the Planes depicts a memory from Heshanthi’s childhood of growing up in Sri Lanka during the civil war. There used to be frequent blackouts in the night to avoid the fighter jets from spotting where buildings were. As Heshanthi and her brother did not know this as young children, they would look up at the sky to try and spot the jets passing. Looking back, Heshanthi did not realise how dangerous the situation was as a bomb could be dropped at any instance. Thus, this print aims to explore the connection between war and the innocence of childhood.

Heshanthi’s painting and printmaking practice focuses on cultural, environmental, and social issues prevalent in Sri Lanka. She aspires to create her own representative space to depict personal lived experiences, particularly those related to her 18 years in Sri Lanka. Heshanthi highlights the threads of multiple historical and religious narratives in her paintings and prints through the use of colour, combining techniques and unusual materials. She is motivated to spread awareness and thoughtfully demonstrate the numerous issues such as the elephant-human crisis and civil war in Sri Lanka.