Study Tour/ Field Visit

Heritage Walk – 24 September 2025

As part of the Heritage: Protection and Marketing course unit, Level II Art History students conducted a Heritage Walk on 24 September 2025 in the city of Jaffna. The walk began with discussions on important landmarks such as the Jaffna Fort, Thanthai Chelva Memorial Tower, Jaffna Public Library, and the Clock Tower, focusing on their architectural, historical, and cultural significance. The walk then continued to the Vannar Pannai Sivan Temple and its surrounding streets, including references to institutions such as Jaffna Hindu College, exploring their relevance to the city’s urban and cultural landscape. Following this, the group visited the Sattanathar Sivan Temple, Manthirimannai (Minister’s Residence), the entrance to Sangiliyan Thoppu, and the Yamuna Eri (Lake) in the Nallur royal capital area, engaging in discussions on the historical, political, and religious importance of these heritage sites. The walk concluded at St. Jacob’s Church, where the heritage significance and conservation concerns of the site were discussed. This student-led initiative provided a meaningful opportunity to apply theoretical learning to practice, deepening their understanding of Jaffna’s layered architectural and cultural heritage through direct field engagement.

Study tour – 4-8 September 2025.

Level II & Level III Art History students visited historical monuments, archeological sites and museums in Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Pollanaruwa, Yapahuwa, Gampola and Kandy in their study tour for the course units on Premodern Sri Lankan Art & Premodern South Asia.

Field Visit -11 August 2025

The field visit to Neo–Glitch, the annual memorial exhibition by Chandraguptha Thenuwara, offered a profound exploration of Sri Lanka’s current political and economic uncertainties under a popularly elected socialist government. Held at Saskia Fernando Gallery, the exhibition served as a visual and conceptual call for awareness and accountability. Thenuwara’s works questioned the fragile promises of peace, unity, and democracy, reflecting on the deep contradictions within the nation’s socio-political landscape. During the visit, the artist himself conducted a guided tour and engaged in an insightful discussion with us, sharing his perspectives on the role of art in political critique and social transformation. The experience deepened our understanding of how contemporary art can function as both an act of resistance and a medium for dialogue about change.

Field Visit -11 August 2025

The field visit to the exhibition Empowerment: Art and Feminisms showcased works by 31 feminist artists addressing themes of gender identity, labour, and social justice through diverse media including installations, performances, talks, and guided tours. Curated collaboratively by the Goethe-Institut and Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, the exhibition explored feminist perspectives against the backdrop of ecological crises, war, the pandemic, post-colonial realities, and increasing social inequality. It emphasized the intersections between global conflicts and planetary concerns, including nature and non-human beings, proposing inclusive and future-oriented visions. The participating artists employed activist, poetic, humorous, and subtle approaches to advocate for empowerment and equality for marginalized communities and societies as a whole.

Field Visit – 15-18 May 2025

As part of the Craft: Discourse and Practice, Art and Heritage Industry, Art and Social Theories and Palk Strait: Site of Artistic Exchange Level II and Level III Art History students undertook a field visit to various architectural, artistic, and craft-related sites in the southern and western regions of Sri Lanka. The visit aimed to help students understand how art and craft function as forms of social production, how cultural discourses are represented through them, and how artistic exchange takes place between coastal regions and communities.The sites visited included Apegama (National Craft Museum), Barefoot, Laksala, Paradise Road Gallery, Green Path (open-air art market), PRSFG, Bentota Lunuganga, Ena de Silva’s batik work at Bentota Beach Hotel, Nochchimalai Mosque, Yatala Museum and Kirinda–Tissamaharama.Through these visits, students examined the intersections between traditional craftsmanship and modernist design, as well as the roles of craftsmen, patrons, and both government and private sectors in the development of Sri Lanka’s craft and heritage industries. The field experience provided valuable insight into how art and architecture emerge as social expressions, reflecting broader cultural and historical exchanges within the island.

Field Visit – 14 March 2025

As part of the Craft: Discourse and Practice course unit, Level II Art History students visited several traditional craft workshops and guilds in Jaffna to study the processes and social dimensions of local craftsmanship. Level I students also participated, gaining first-hand exposure to regional craft traditions as part of their introduction to art and craft studies. The field visit included sites such as handloom weaving sector, power loom working station, banana fibre craft unit, woodcarvers’ guilds, metalworkers’ guilds, pottery workshop, and coconut shell craft workshop. Through these visits, students observed the materials, tools, and techniques used in traditional craft production and engaged with local artisans to understand the relationship between craft, community, and economy. The visit also encouraged discussions on how these craft practices contribute to Jaffna’s cultural identity and continue to adapt within changing social and economic contexts.

Field Visit & Event Participation – 13 March 2025

As part of the course units Art and Social Theories, Modern and Contemporary Art in Sri Lanka, and Art and Heritage Industry, Level II, Level III, and Level IV Art History students visited Mannar to participate in the retrospective exhibition of Jaffna modernist artist Mark Master, followed by a discussion with his students and friends. During the visit, students also explored several heritage sites in Mannar, including the Sufi Mosque, the Baobab Tree, and the Mannar Fort. This field experience provided them with the unique opportunity to view a comprehensive collection of Mark Master’s works—an influential figure in the 1980s Jaffna modern art movement—while also engaging critically with the historical and cultural significance of Mannar’s heritage landmarks. The visit encouraged students to connect classroom discussions on modernism, heritage, and social theory with real-world artistic and architectural contexts.

Field Visit & Event Participation – 12, 13 February 2025

As part of the course units ‘Art and Social Theories,’ ‘Modern and Contemporary Art in Sri Lanka,’ and ‘Arts Management,’ Level III and Level IV Art History students participated in ‘KALA’ – A Platform for South Asian Art, along with its associated fringe events and field visits to modern and contemporary art galleries. The program provided students with an opportunity to engage directly with Sri Lanka’s evolving contemporary art scene and to understand its connections to the broader South Asian context. Through exhibitions, artist talks, and gallery visits, students explored the dynamics of curation, art production, institutional networks, and audience engagement. This field experience deepened students’ critical understanding of how contemporary art practices in Sri Lanka respond to social, political, and cultural realities, and how these practices are situated within regional and global frameworks of modernity and exchange.

Field Visit & Heritage Walk -1, 3 November 2024

A heritage walk was conducted on 1st and 3rd November 2024 as part of a field study for Level II, Art History students enrolled in the courses Architecture and Power and Heritage Protection and Marketing. The walk provided students with direct engagement with built heritage, encouraging critical reflection on the relationship between architectural forms, historical narratives, and the politics of preservation and representation.

Study tour – 23-26 September 2023.

Field Visit & Study tour – 3 April 2023.

Level II, Art History students ‘Architecture and Power‘ unit as part of the course unit visited to different architectural sites in Jaffna on 3 April 2023 to understand how the discourse of power operates and represents through architecture and architectural sites.

Field Visit & Study tour – 15,16, 17 October 2022.

Final year students and Level II, Art History students ‘Craft: discourse and practice‘ unit as part of the course unit participated in ‘Threads on Threads’ an international conference on Textiles in Sri Lanka, South Asia and Europe, fringe events and field visit of Kurunagela on 15,16, 17 October 2022 to understand the global trends of weaving and dyeing industry in Past and contemporary.

Field Visit – 14 October 2022.

Final year students and Level II, Art History Honours students visited to Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka on 14 October 2022 to see the the exhibition called “Encounters.”

Field Visit -22, 23,24 August 2022

Level II, Art History students ‘Art and Heritage Industry’ unit and as part of the course unit visited to Jaffna Archeological museum, Jaffna Dutch Fort site museum and Sivapoomi museum on 22,23 and 24 August 2022 to understand the link between the various heritage properties and museums.

Site Visit – 26,27 March 2022

Department of Fine Arts, Level I Art History students visited to see “Encounters” exhibition in Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Sri Lanka on 27 March 2022. The chief curator of the museum gave a guided tour to the exhibition, students also visited Colombo National museum on 26 March 2022. Nearly fifteen students and three lecturers participated in this visit.

Study tour -December 2021 & March 2022

As an initiative to bring the Modern and Contemporary art works closer to the students, department organised a study tour to the Fourth year special. The students had interactive sessions and lectures at Sapumuel foundation, National Art Gallery, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Karagampitiya, Paradise Gallery and Geoffrey bawa house No11.

Field Visit -2021

Students who offered a course unit on Colonial and Post colonial Sri Lankan art enjoyed their trip to old colonial buildings in Jaffna such as Hammenhiel fort, Jaffna Dutch fort, old Dutch and Portuguese churches and other public buildings.

Department tour – January 2020

Department of Fine Arts, Art History all batches students visited to see first exhibition of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Sri Lanka “One hundred thousand small tales” on 5 January 2020.

Study tour -2020

Final year Art History students continued their studies on Modern and Contemporary Sri Lankan Art in the museums, Galleries, Buddhist temples and private collections in Colombo. They also given opportunities to visit architecturally important building in the city.

Study tour -2019

Third year Art History students visited historical monuments, archeological sites and museums in Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Pollanaruwa, Yapahuwa, Gampola and Kandy in their study tour for the course unit on Classical and post classical Sri Lankan Art.

Field Visit -2018

Study tour -2018

Third year students of Art History & Art and design visited to Anuradhapura, Pollanaruwa, Yapahuwa, Gampola and Kandy museums and archeological sites to learn the nature of art in the pre modern Sri Lanka.

Department’s Field visit-2018

Department of Fine Arts, Art History students of all four batches visited Delft to study the colonial period monuments and other heritage sites.

Field Visit -2018

Students who offered a course unit on Colonial and Post colonial Sri Lankan art enjoyed their trip to old colonial buildings in Jaffna such as Hammenhiel fort, Jaffna Dutch fort, old Dutch and Portuguese churches and other public buildings.

Study tour -2017

In 2017 June, students of Art History & Art and design students got an opportunity to visit museums, private art collections and art galleries in Colombo as a part of their study tour for the courses in Modern and Contemporary art of Sri Lanka.

Study tour -2017

Department of Fine Arts organised a study tour to Anuradhapura, Pollanaruwa, Yapahuwa, Gampola and Kandy for the third year students of Art History & Art and design as a part of the teaching and learning activity of course units in Pre modern Sri Lankan Art.

Study tour -2016

Department Picnic -2015

Department of Fine Arts, Art History students of all four batches went on a picnic to Pointpedro and Valvettithurai.

Study tour -2015

Department of Fine Arts organised a study tour to Anuradhapura, Pollanaruwa, Yapahuwa, Gampola, Kandy and museums, Galleries, Buddhist temples and private collections in Colombo for the final year students of Art History & Art and design as a part of the teaching and learning activity of course units in Pre modern Sri Lankan Art and modern and contemporary art.

Study tour -2014

Students’ Visits – 2012-2013

Final year students at a traditional house in Jaffna(Left) on 16 March 2013.

Second year students participated in Galle Music Festival(Right).

Field Visit -2011

In 14 May 2011, Second year students of Art history visited to Jaffna fort to understand the methods and politics of heritage preservation & conservation.

Department picnic

Department staff and the final year students went on a picnic to Casuarina beach.

Study Tour -2002

The department conducted its first study tour in 2002 during the Norwegian mediated peace talk between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam.