Chandraguptha Thenuwara Sri Lankan , b. 1960
Reminiscence III/ Thorns, 2019
Brass Cast
18cm x 13cm x 13cm
Edition of 15
Reminiscence a series of miniature sculptures cast in brass, is Thenuwara's commentary on the enduring aftermath of war. In this artwork, the barbed wires serve as a powerful reminder of...
Reminiscence a series of miniature sculptures cast in brass, is Thenuwara's commentary on the enduring aftermath of war. In this artwork, the barbed wires serve as a powerful reminder of the final stages of the three-decade-long war, particularly the existence of Menik Farm, a camp for internally displaced individuals. Through the symbolism of barbed wire, the artist highlights the stark division between people from Sinhala and non-Sinhala communities that has defined the politics of the island. Embedded within the artwork is a profound critique of the conflict and the enduring marginalization experienced by non-Sinhala Buddhist communities. Thenuwara's Reminiscence reflects on how, despite the cessation of civil war, these structures persist both in the collective consciousness, and also in the increasingly nationalist atmosphere. The piece poignantly encapsulates a spectrum of unresolved grievances, inviting viewers to confront the complexities and injustices of the war's aftermath.
Exhibitions
M.O.B., Saskia Fernando Gallery, Colombo 2019Indra's Net, Curated by Sandhini Poddar, Frieze London, London, 2022