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Chandraguptha Thenuwara Sri Lankan , b. 1960
Khaki & Saffron, 2023Acrylic on Canvas153 x 244 cm
60 1/4 x 96 inThe word 'devolution' sounds like 'delusion' if you pronounce it without the 'vo' sound. I came up with this pun because I enjoy playing with words to create new meanings....The word "devolution" sounds like "delusion" if you pronounce it without the "vo" sound. I came up with this pun because I enjoy playing with words to create new meanings. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica and most dictionaries, a delusion is defined as (1) a belief that is not true: a false idea, (2) a false idea or belief that is caused by mental illness. Many contemporary issues in socio-political, legal, and cultural contexts are increasingly delusional. Those who hold power in Khaki and Saffron - military and religious institutions - are often the ones who condemn critical thought. They are the ones who raise false allegations and spread fake news. Why are internationally recognized rights being used as tools of torture and imprisonment? What is the role of the state and independent legal authorities? Why do power-hungry politicians manipulate situations for their own gain, and why do citizens knowingly become pawns in their games? Why do we not look at recent history without bias? Why do some people claim to be apolitical when the world and all its affairs are political? Why do we mindlessly follow words when visual evidence tells a different story? What happened to our sense of consciousness? Is our society affected by delusional disorder?Exhibitions
Delusion, Saskia Fernando Gallery, Colombo, 2023