Saskia Fernando Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
  • Viewing Rooms
  • Channel
  • Fairs
  • News
  • Press
  • Profiles
  • About
  • Contact
Menu

Since 1983 : Gayan Prageeth

Past exhibition
6 - 25 October 2016
  • Overview
  • Installation Views
  • Press release
Overview
Since 1983 , Gayan Prageeth

The racial conflict that commenced on July 23,1983, is commonly known as Black July. During these riots, Tamils were identified by their pronunciation. Various methods were used for this purpose. They were shown a bucket and asked what it is, Tamils finding it difficult to pronounce “Baldiya” pronouncing it “Waldiya”. Those who mispronounced the word were suspected to be Tamil and were attacked.

 

The most plausible reason for Black July, that took the lives of thousands of Tamils and was the cause for mass migration of Tamils and burning down of thousands of Tamil houses, is believed to be the LTTE ambush that lead to the deaths of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers. These riots are generally believed to be the cause of the long endured conflict between Sinhala majority governments and Tamil separatist groups. Black July remains an issue that Sri Lankan political parties of both races do not see eye to eye on. My literary work deals with this issue that has been in existence since 1983.

 

Gayan Prageeth - October 2016

 

View the E - Catalogue

Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Installation Views
  • Since1
  • Since2
  • Since3
  • Since4
  • Since5
  • Gpp1
  • Gpp2
Close
Press release

SINCE 1983 

GAYAN PRAGEETH

6 - 25 OCTOBER 2016

 

At a point in time where Sri Lanka has begun to rebuild itself and reconciliation efforts take shape in the north, the exhibition ‘Since 1983’ looks back at the events that ignited the tension between races, between separatists and the Sri Lankan army and most of all the destruction of so many peoples lives, memories and futures. In contrast to the political carnival portrayed in Gayan Prageeth's previous exhibition, these new works illustrate the turmoil of the eruption of the civil war through installation and geometric symbolism - a combination of works that demonstrate not only our history but also the current state of many countries around the world.

 

The symbolic representation of the bucket illustrates the difference between the pronunciation of its Sinhala translation ‘Baldiya’, a word Tamils commonly pronounce as ‘Waldiya’ through differences in articulation. The artist states, ‘the racial conflict that commenced on July 23,1983, is commonly known as Black July. During these riots, Tamils were identified by their pronunciation. Various methods were used for this purpose. They were shown a bucket and asked what it is, Tamils finding it difficult to pronounce “Baldiya” pronouncing it “Waldiya”. Those who mispronounced the word were suspected to be Tamil and were attacked.

 

The most plausible reason for Black July, that took the lives of thousands of Tamils and was the cause for mass migration of Tamils and burning down of thousands of Tamil houses, is believed to be the LTTE ambush that lead to the deaths of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers. These riots are generally believed to be the cause of the long endured conflict between Sinhala majority governments and Tamil separatist groups. Black July remains an issue that Sri Lankan political parties of both races do not see eye to eye on. My literary work deals with this issue that has been in existence since 1983.’

Related artist

  • Gayan Prageeth

    Gayan Prageeth

Back to exhibitions
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2023 Saskia Fernando Gallery
Site by Artlogic
Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Signup

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.