Sivasubramaniam Kajendran (b. 1988, Mullaitivu. Lives and works in Jaffna) explores the cyclical nature of life and death. Kajendran’s practice, rooted in his experiences during the Sri Lankan Civil War and the devastating 2004 Tsunami, pays tribute to both the survivors and the lost. Characterised by a haunting quality, the artist envisions a symbiotic and mythological reconfiguration of the relationship between man and nature as he explores themes of tragedy and renewal. Inspired by historical depictions of femininity and motherhood as icons of power, his work also offers critical perspectives on the struggles of women and girls in post-conflict regions while exploring ideas of strength, resilience, and the promise of the future amid life’s fragility.
Kajendran received his MFA from Beaconhouse National University, Lahore (2019) and BFA from the University of Jaffna, Jaffna (2014).
Kajendran’s work has been featured recently at Rajiv Menon Contemporary, Los Angeles (2024), Pristine Gallery, New Delhi (2024) and Aicon Contemporary, New York (2024), Matara Art Festival, Matara (2024). He is a recipient of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Art Scholarship and the Cite International Arts Residency.