Unravelling artistic thread with Dr Ayesha Wickramasinghe

Dr. Ayesha Wickramasinghe, who is the champion of the National Crafts Council plays a pivotal role in promoting and developing the local handicrafts.

- BY ZANITA CAREEM

She has served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa specialising in Design and Production development since 2006. With her wealth of experience, she brings extensive professional expertise in Brand Promotion and Design from Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the United States. An old girl from Southlands College Galle, she graduated with first class honors in fashion design and production development from the University of Moratuwa. She also , holds a postgraduate degree from London and a doctorate from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka.

Stepping away from the tech-driven expectations often tied to her generation, she believed craft wasnt just art, it was life and identity. In a world of hush and rush, deadlines and competition, her journey reminds of the beauty of persistence, creativity and the simple joy of doing what we love!

In this interview, Ayesha explains the trajectory of her career, her work, inspiration and her empowering story.

Your journey?

My journey is rooted in a deep appreciation for tradition, artistry, and cultural identity. Growing up in Weragoda, a village in the Galle District, I was immersed in a lifestyle shaped by community, nature, and craft. These early experiences inspired my academic and professional path-first as a designer and educator, and now as Chairperson of the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka.

Where did your interest in craft and making come from?