Ena de Silva

Ena de Silva (1922–2015) is known for an unprecedented textile arts practice in Sri Lanka. Her explorations of batik and hand embroidery established a new artistic paradigm for South Asia. Ena de Silva led groups of artists and craftspeople throughout the country to further a Sri Lankan imaginary that reflected a changing society. The various establishments she ran employed and trained women from the neighbourhood and held a strong belief around empowering women to be self-reliant. In 2023, the Ena de Silva Foundation was set up to engage, educate and work with young people to preserve and promote the legacy of Ena de Silva.