Animating Sri Lankan Heroes

Irushi Tennekoon is an educator, accomplished animator and illustrator dedicated to creating counter-narratives that celebrate real-life heroes with brown skin and dark hair. Her mission is to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankans with stories that reflect their own identities, challenging the often limited representation in mainstream media.

It all started as a playful experiment at her study table, using nothing more than a stop-motion app on her mobile phone. Soon, the hobby blossomed into an artistic career that has taken her work to prestigious platforms like the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka, the Women of the World Festival, and the Dhaka Art Summit.

Her most notable project, Animate Her, is a series that brings to life the stories of extraordinary Sri Lankan women through stop-motion and experimental animation. This series features figures such as marine biologist Asha de Vos, children’s author and illustrator Sybil Wettasinghe, and lawyer and activist Ramani Muttetuwegama. With each frame, Irushi crafts narratives that celebrate these women’s achievements, offering young audiences a fresh perspective on what a hero can look like.

Irushi’s work is deeply motivated by the influence of Western media on her experiences growing up, which predominantly showcased white heroes and heroines. Now, through her animations, she aims to offer an alternative narrative that centres on Sri Lankan heroines, ensuring that the stories of these remarkable women inspire the next generation of Sri Lankans.

In addition to Animate Her, Irushi’s work spans various collaborative projects addressing critical issues like gender, health, and the environment. Her dedication to storytelling through animation entertains and educates, contributing to a broader global discourse on representation and cultural identity.