SEVA project promotes Sri Lankan craft
View(s):Sri Lanka’s creative and craft sector has marked a landmark moment with the launch of SEVA, a transdisciplinary cultural diplomacy project uniting international artistry with Sri Lankan heritage. Beyond its artistic merit, SEVA showcases the untapped trade potential of Sri Lanka’s artisan economy, an area poised to grow into a high-value export sector and attract new investment, according to a media release by Barefoot, the handloom store.
Ms. Caterina Roppo in a light moment with local craftswomen.
This is the outcome of the EU–Sri Lanka Matchmaking Programme, delivered with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), supported by the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the Cultural Relations Platform (CRP), with the University of the Arts London (UAL) and the British Council as knowledge partners, and The Institute of Future Creations (TIFC) as programme leader. SEVA has also received the backing of the Italian Embassy in Colombo.
Led by Italian visual artist Caterina Roppo, SEVA explores the intersection of art, mental health, and post-traumatic resilience, with a focus on marginalised artisanal communities. Earlier this year, Ms. Roppo worked in residency with Sonali Dharmawardena, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated textile artists, merging contemporary art practice with the country’s textile heritage.
Globally, craft and textiles are becoming increasingly recognised as premium cultural assets with strong market demand. India’s textile and apparel industry, valued at US$ 222 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $ 350 billion by 2030, has shown how combining heritage skills with design innovation, branding, and trade agreements can unlock unprecedented export growth. Partnerships like the Chanakya School of Craft’s collaborations with Christian Dior, Gucci, and other luxury brands have turned traditional embroidery and weaving into centrepieces of global fashion weeks.
“This project is about building trust and shared understanding,” said Robert Meeder, Project Lead for the EU/EDB programme and Co-Founder of TIFC. “SEVA proves that Sri Lanka’s creative sector can deliver world-class, socially engaged work with commercial potential, building a foundation for sustainable trade.”
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Roppo said: “SEVA is about creating spaces where vulnerability becomes a source of strength and renewal. My time in Sri Lanka was not only an artistic exchange but also an exploration of how heritage and creativity can connect to market opportunities, ensuring the craft sector thrives both culturally and economically.”
“Working with Caterina was a journey of mutual discovery,” said Ms. Dharmawardena. “SEVA has shown how collaborations can honour local craftsmanship while opening it to new forms of expression, recognition, and trade pathways.”
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