This mural in Colombo, Sri Lanka represents different embodiments of Yakshini, a being that is connected to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
The artist was inspired by the recent environmental changes in Sri Lanka due to human activity and climate change.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource beautifully blends culture, art, history, and biology.
Additional Prerequisites
The artist's statement features more background information on the mural.
The three figures in the mural represent Sri Lanka's major ethnic groups: Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim.
Differentiation
It could be an ideal interdisciplinary project for biology students to view this mural and then research more about environmental issues in Sri Lanka, including the disappearance of marine creatures due to overfishing and other human activities.
History or social studies students could analyze this mural and connect Sri Lanka's culture with how Sri Lanka is adapting to climate change.
Art classes could use this mural as inspiration to create their own artwork related to the climate change impacts experienced by their community.
This resource depicts the need to protect culture and nature despite our differences in ethnicity. This is recommended to build good ties to promote natural resource conservation. This is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Arts
Visual Arts: Standard 8 - Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
VA.8.RE2.8 1. Interpret art by analyzing how the interaction of subject matter, formal art elements, composition, use of media, art-making approaches, and relevant contextual information contributes to understanding messages or ideas and mood conveyed.
VA.8.RE2.HS1 2. Orally or in writing interpret an artwork or collection of works, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found in the work and its various contexts.
