Text and pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Barbedwire (II) 2012, Screen Print on Canvas 167.5cm
x 122 cm
Barbedwire (XV) 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 169cm x 92cm
At a time when Sri Lanka has already started to
forget its recent past, and artists have begun to move away from political and
interventionist themes, Koralegedara Pushpakumara’s exhibition of paintings
under the theme “Goodwill Hardware 2013” is a remarkable work. His powerful
paintings attempt to point at the human suffering which the society has
undergone during many decades of war and violence. While questioning and
confronting the post war environment, he attempts to dismiss the human
suffering from social memory by sheer political discourses of erasure.
His exhibition of paintings was recently held at
Hempel Galleries. Nearly 27 screen print paintings and collage on canvass were displayed
under the illustrated subtitles of “Barbedwire,
Bladewire, Barrier Tape, Pole and Wall Plug”.
“I used to
visit my relatives in Ampara in 1970s and 80s.
“Barbedwire” was very much part of the everyday landscape which has
struck with me as a strong image in my memory, since my childhood. There is a
division, restriction, denied access and violence. Although the war is over,
the boundaries and divisions continue to exist. Today, these boundaries and
divisions are less visible, but are still present.
Barbedwire
is a symbol of violence. 2” x 2” pole is another symbol of violence. Wall Plug
depicts the act of aggression. Damage is done by inserting the wall plug into
the wall, and thereafter,unable to forget the memory despite any patching up”
says artist Koralegedar Pushpakumara.
He has used black, gold and white acrylic colours on
canvass to elaborate each situation. His art works convey a strong message in a
post war situation.
"Barbedwire can be seen in post war Sri Lanka" ~ Koralegedara Pushpakumara
2'’x 2'' Pole (1), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm
 Barrier Tape and Barbedwire, 2010, Scree Print and Collage on Canvas, 102cm x 156.5cm
Wall Plug (12), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Unprimed Canvas, 102cm x 146cm
Barbedwire (XI) 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas 110cm x 67.5cm and Barbedwire (xii), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm
Wall Plug (5), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm
Barbedwire (VI), 2010, Screen Print, on Canvas 102cm x 156.5cm
Koralegedara Pushpakumara is a painter who creates critical paintings
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