Art as Catalyst: Commemorating Tragedy and Advocating Change

Groundviews, July 30, 2023

Art is a powerful medium of expression that is incorporated by activists and advocates across multiple cultures and spaces to commemorate and establish a sense of permanent memorialization of history.

 

In Sri Lanka, where a history of conflict and societal divisions has left deep scars, art’s significance as a medium of expression takes on even greater importance, serving as a catalyst for healing, reconciliation and fostering a shared understanding of the nation’s complex past.

 

Dr. Chandraguptha Thenuwara, one of Sri Lanka’s leading artists, has consistently used his art as a vessel to memorialize the tragedies associated with the civil war and the events that led to devastating loss and destruction. His work has played a significant role in shaping the development of contemporary art and the discourse around art and society.

 

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