While Eyes Only makes no explicit reference to the ongoing pandemic, Gayan’s critique reveals its impact on
society. In the installation PRISONERS ARE HUMAN BEINGS, he refers to recent prison riots that resulted in
the deaths of numerous prisoners. The sculptural artwork is a presentation with English letters and words filled
with charcoal and bullet shells. It is aimed at exploring the fact that prisoners are amongst the most vulnerable
people in society. They are often the product of failed systems that fall short of justice and equality, and that tend
to criminalize poverty. In the context of the pandemic, this installation opens up the question of who should be
among the first to receive the vaccine. The vulnerability, both physical and mental, of prisoners living in cramped
conditions needs to be accounted for. The answer, universally, remains to be seen. If it takes critical exhibitions like
Eyes Only to make such discussions more public, one can only hope to see more of them