OCT 13, DAY 1 | Cinnamon Bentota Beach (7 pm to8.15 pm)

Bawa Brothers and Artists Main Art Tour
By Author Juliet Coombe & Azara Jaleel, Editor-In-Chief
The tour shall entail a comprehensive understanding of the legendary work by Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa, pertaining to their relationship and their respective homes, Brief & Lunguganga alongside, an in-depth understanding of their relationship with artists, and the stories behind the artworks by Barbara Sansoni, Ena de Silva, Ismeth Raheem & Laki Senanayake at Cinnamon Bentota Beach, which is considered to be one of Geoffrey Bawa’s iconic hotels.

4,000LKR

OCT 14, DAY 2 | Brief, Bentota ( 9.30 to 10.30 am)
Art & Garden Tour: Tropical Garden, Kill or Cure Tour
By Author Juliet Coombe
If Neverland were to exist, Bevis Bawa would be close to creating a true utopia with nature, developing his own unique style of artistic tropical garden architectural designs, with the help of his great Australian friend and artist, Donald Friend. This interactive walk and talk starts at the end of the roaring 1920s, when Brief’s garden was created from a rubber plantation that was, by 1969, the talk of the island, and a central meeting point for the literati, the glitterati, A list of movie stars and artists. This landscaped architectural experience will look at how important a home garden is for Sri Lankans, sourcing everything they need to live, including medicinal preparations from all parts of a plant, natural soaps made from leaves, perfume from rose petals, cooking oils, and foraging food. 

They are also used for practicing witchcraft and spells, activities that go on in Sri Lanka to this very day. The more time you spend at Brief, the more hidden stories are revealed, and, if each plant could talk about itself and where it came from in the world, the tour would be anything but brief, as every flower and tree has its uses, either to cure or kill, or indeed both, depending on which part and how much of the plant you use. On the circuit of multiple pathways around the house, Juliet will also talk about how famous authors like Agatha Christie used plants in her murder plots, along with Conan Doyle, who visited the island in the 1920s. 

Along with killer book stories, she will also uncover the meanings behind garden staircases, sculptures, the psychology of lovely resting spots and contributions made by artists such as Barbara Sansoni. Beautiful hewn stone seats mark the spots where Bevis and his many guests would watch the changing seasons and wildlife going about their daily businesses of building nests in spring and then seeing the chicks appear in summer. The incredible magic of being a part of nature’s cycles is caught in the design of even the slightly risqué bottle fountain of a young man and the pond have an interesting story to tell. 

This tour at ARTRA’s Art Experiential Festival will explore the art of garden design and the importance of stopping the ruination of our natural paradise by supporting national treasures like Brief Garden and sharing its knowledge far and wide through inspirational tours that will colourfully bring to light the art and architecture of visionary landscaping.

4,250LKR (limited tickets)

10.45 am to 11.45
Art Talk - Aubrey Collette, Artist, Political Satirist and Observer of Life
Cresside Collette; Artist & Daughter of Aubrey Collette & Rohan de Soysa, close friend of Bevis Bawa & Chairman of Sapumal Foundation, in conversation with Azara Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief.

3,500LKR (limited tickets)

12 – 1.15 pm | Lunch Break

1.30 – 2.30 pm
Art Talk - Gone with the Wind & Island Curses
Author Juliet Coombe in conversation with Herman Gunaratne, Author and Tea Specialist
Juliet Coombe in conversation about legendary actress Vivien Leigh and what really happened whilst filming Elephant Walk in 1954, when she became possessed after going to watch a devil dancing ritual in Kurunegala. This exciting talk will cover how Bevis met Vivien at the Galle Face Hotel and how she became fascinated by Bevis’ artistic circle at Brief. In discussion with the author of God’s Secret Agent, A Battle Against The Dark Forces and writer of The Suicide Club Herman Gunaratne on how seriously island voodoo should be taken. The Demons are Out of The Bottle explains author Juliet Coombe after reading unseen letters between Bevis and bewitching actress Vivien Leigh, who one evening after a long day filming on Elephant Walk drove all the way from Anuradhapura to Kurunegala to watch a devil dancing ceremony performed. It was at this extraordinary event that the actress believed the devil took possession of her, that led to the calamitous breakdown of one of Hollywoods most beautiful leading ladies, who was replaced by Elizabeth Taylor. Herman who has written a book on this mind-blowing subject says don’t underestimate or be fooled by supernatural forces and in the talk will cover his own rip-roaring adventure story in the mould of the Blues Brothers with their famous line, “Hit it. We’re on a mission from God.” In this case, Herman’s car is a Singer Gazelle and it’s the Buddhist Brothers in Sri Lanka, though there are actually five core members of the exorcist’s team not all Buddhists by birth. Along the way, Herman, the white tea maestro, sees the most extraordinary things in what is really a parallel universe (the exorcists and witch doctors being the ones with the power to jump between them), in his secret life as the exorcist’s friend. Truth truly is stranger than fiction as we take a serious look at what happened to Vivien Leigh and the consequences of attending a devil dancing ceremony in Sri Lanka. A fascinating look at the human mind and how little we truly know about the demonic world.

3,500LKR (limited tickets)

2.45 pm – 4 pm
Art Talk & Tea Time Tea with Dooland, Reminiscing Bevis at Brief
Dooland de Silva, Guardian and Owner of Brief, and Bevis’ confidante in conversation with Azara Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief
4,000LKR (limited tickets)

4.15 pm to 5.30 pm
Exclusive Launch of ARTRA Magazine’s Comics & Caricatures Edition, featuring the works of Aubrey Collette, Bevis Bawa & Gihan de Chickera
Cocktails and canapés shall be served to guests.
4,500LKR (limited tickets)

Text & Pics courtesy Artra

To purchase tickets,
call +94 77 570 1891