Chandraguptha Thenuwara Sri Lankan , b. 1960
15 3/4 x 19 3/4 in
Thenuwara in his Medals references the symbols of honour and recognition which are awarded to soldiers in a scathing remark on the immense power vested in them. The work is a continuing commentary on the presence of military in every aspect of Sri Lanka’s political and social life - from historical monuments to agriculture and the hospitality industry.
Thenuwara's "At/Most/Fear" builds upon his memorial exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the 1983 Tamil Pogrom. It serves as a reflection on authoritarian political regimes and their suppression of political expression, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such governance.This artwork serves as a commentary on the persistent presence of military forces in civilian spaces and the looming threat they pose to freedom of expression.