Passion Parade: The Wall and other works

“The Wall” ~ 320” x 90” x12” Installation, Mixed media, 2011

"The Wall and other works” ~ An exhibition of an Installation, Drawings and Paintings by Chandraguptha Thenuwara was held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo from 23rd July 2011 to 31st July 2011. Passers ~ by just walked into the gallery to view the exhibition, but most of them were at standstill for a couple of moments. More time was spent in front of The Wall which was 30 feet long and 7 feet high with various images of people. The images reflected on tinted mirrors on both sides of the wall. The exhibition was a kind of commemoration of uncommemorative events of our recent past and at the same time responds to contemporary situations.

Although images were in a form of absence they also become a presence. In this exhibition viewers participated to complete the art work. They lit a candle in the voids of the wall. It provided a kind of connection; it lives the memory. This act of remembrance became a contemplation which helps to overcome grief. It also made connections to the past,present and future.

Many sculptures creating an idea of an endless wall

"These images represent Sri Lankans ~ Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers. Who will light candles for everybody ~ civilians, soldiers and rebels who were killed in the war?" emotionally queries Chandraguptha Thenuwara.

"The empty spaces were created by the conflict and war. There are lots of innocent civilians, security forces personnel, politicians; government servants, rebels, militants etc. who lost their lives. If we look at those deaths not considering their social status or way of living, all are human beings. Everybody is a loved one of someone. I hope this experience of participation with an art work will create a special kind of social consciousness and a kind of responsibility for the past as well as respect across ethnic divides. It will help reconciliation and justice" continues Chandraguptha Thenuwara.