Gayan Prageeth SrI Lankan , b. 1980
55 1/8 x 39 3/8 in
Prageeth employs circus imagery to critique a prevailing misconception in Sri Lankan society. The core of this misconception is the belief that adhering to a traditional path guarantees a brighter future. Prageeth questions the established social norms and by utilising surrealism in his work, underscores the comedic situations that arise when individuals buy into this fallacy.
The imagery of the ladder evokes the atmosphere of a circus, playful and energetic. Prageeth takes this imagery and turns it on its head as he uses the playfulness to critique rigid social structures. In contrast to the empty backdrop, the impossibly suspended swing imbues a sense of whimsy in this work by Prageeth. This sense of whimsy is heightened by the surrealism that permeates the entire composition.