"At this moment “Barrelism” has emerged into a new phase- that of “Post- Barrelism”. I say this because there is now an official statement that the “war is over”, that at least some aspects of the war that terrorized our society for three decades and disrupted our lives have now come to n end.
Since, it is now official that the “war is over” our society which is highly militarized should begin a process of de-militarisation. If rightful thinking (Samma Sathi) prevails, we should no longer go back to war mongering. This exhibition is an open invitation to consider this possibility.
No one will de-camouflage society for us. “They” will propose many reasons for not doing so. The responsibility to ensure that we do not slide back into war is ours alone, we cannot delegate it to others. Although the war is officially over, terror and displacement are not completely at an end. They have many faces. While the time has come to change the yellow-black-green camouflage of the past to white, we can perceive that this camouflage has taken on a new aspect transforming to red-orange.
This exhibition is making a statement and communicating through the language of colour as a signifier of signs. However the path to real and abiding peace is a complex one. This “victory” obtained through the sacrifice of valuable lives should lead to a harmonious amalgam of socio-economic, political, cultural and spiritual spheres.
Selfish opportunities should not be permitted to distort, betray and forfeit this hard fought “victory” as is indicated by works at this “Post- Barrelism” exhibition.
The responsibility to protect the right to life is ours, so that these un-commemorable, terrible and inhuman memories will never be experienced again."- Chandraguptha Thenuwara
Thursday, July 23, 2009
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