Chandraguptha Thenuwara Sri Lanka, b. 1960
Three Elements, 2023
Ink on Paper
29 x 21 cm
11 3/8 x 8 1/4 in
11 3/8 x 8 1/4 in
The barbed wire, thorns, and creepers weave together, symbolizing the intricate entanglement of the artist's reflection on the deep-seated division between Sinhala and non-Sinhala communities, particularly evident in the government's...
The barbed wire, thorns, and creepers weave together, symbolizing the intricate entanglement of the artist's reflection on the deep-seated division between Sinhala and non-Sinhala communities, particularly evident in the government's handling of internally displaced people post-war. These intertwined elements serve as a poignant metaphor for how this division has become ingrained in Sri Lanka's modern history, much like the barbed wires defining displacement camps that now mark the landscape.
Embedded within the artwork is a profound critique of the conflict and the enduring marginalization experienced by non-Sinhala Buddhist communities. The piece poignantly encapsulates a spectrum of unresolved grievances, inviting viewers to confront the complexities and injustices of the war's aftermath.