Manthiram

Shenuka Korea (born June 1995), who also goes by Bakamoona, is an illustrator, animator and storyteller based in Colombo, Sri Lanka and the creator of comics 11:58 (2017), Manthiram (2019) and short animated film The Guardian (2017). 11:58 is a wordless comic about loneliness and the comfort afforded by familiar rituals. Manthiram is a graphic history exploring the beliefs and traditions of the people of the pearl fisheries that operated off the coast of Sri Lanka until about a century ago. This project was her Capstone Project as an Art and Art History major at New York University Abu Dhabi.

This work features in Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics, a Barbican International Enterprises exhibition, curated by Paul Gravett. Mangasia presents a vivid journey through the art of Comics and visual storytelling across Asia. From its historical roots to the most recent digital innovations, the exhibition looks to popular Japanese ‘Manga’ and beyond, highlighting key creators, characters and publications.