Art and war
By Yohan Perera
Jaffna born T. Shanaathanan had to go through difficult times just like
the other Tamil youth in the area as a result of the civil war.
His family were among the thousands of families that were affected by
the carnage in Sri Lanka. Shanaathanan, like the others in the
peninsula, has been experiencing peace for the last two years. However,
after the recent spate of violence in the North and East the situation is
reversed. “ It is a complete turnaround and once again we are trembling
with fear looking at the shadows of war over the North and East,” he said.
The biography of a person such as Shanaathanan would be fascinating
and will interest many if given a chance to study it. This is the very thing
he has done throughout his career in fine arts. He has presented his
biography through his innovative works of art.
Through his latest exhibition which will be on display from January 6 –
28, he will present his biography which is similar to most of the Tamil
youth in the North. This special biography will be coupled with his
yearning for stability and peace in his beloved home town.
Referring to the methodologies he has used, Shanaathanan explained
that he had used a mixture of collage and the brush to create his works
of art. “ I have also used maps associated with war. In that context I have
used maps to show how some landmarks have disappeared as a result
of war,” he said.
With layers of maps which depict landmarks of the past he has also
presented his childhood memories of the places he visited when a child.
Shanaathanan has used his art to express the relief they had during the
ceasefire period and the fear which they have gone through after
violence that has erupted from time to time.
Having obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Fine Arts from
the University of Delhi he has participated in over 15 exhibitions both in
Sri Lanka and abroad. He has held exhibitions in UK, India and France.
Apart from the exhibitions Shanaathanan has participated in several
international workshops such as Theertha International Artist work shop
in Lunuganga, Political Poster at Maxmullar Bhawan, New Delhi and
South Asian Friendship Youth Camp, Nagaland, India.
Recently he was conferred with the title Kalasuri by former President
Chandrika Kumaratunge. [Courtesy: Daily Mirror]
