Two overseas Lankan artists come together at Saskia Gallery
View(s):Two artists from the Sri Lankan diaspora, Kumkum Fernando and Murugiah are currently exhibiting in Colombo for the first time at the group show ‘served to you with a dash of lime’ that opened at Saskia Fernando Gallery end June.
Kumkum Fernando, was the first South Asian artist commissioned to create the main stage installation for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023, his 75-foot sculpture ‘The Messengers’ inspired by Asian cultural elements and Buddhist temples. More recently, Kumkum conceptualised an installation of over 2000 kites at the Cinnamon Life City of Dreams, working with second generation kite makers . Based in Vietnam now, Kumkum draws inspiration from Lankan culture, its ancient and traditional forms.
His piece in this exhibition, ‘Post Colonial Rainbow Punks’ is part of his ongoing exploration of the nexus between East Asian history and modern culture; Hindu mythology and folktales as well as Vietnam’s cultural reclamation. Created from remnants of French-era architecture, scoured from the streets of Saigon, the set of four sculptures reimagines how postcolonial histories are constructed through a science fiction adventure that is at once ancient and futuristic.
The exhibition also features a specially commissioned piece ‘Wake Me Up When It Is Over’ by Murugiah, the London-based artist of Lankan origin. Its psychedelic style, is a playful exploration -candy coated dreams and South Asian motifs reflect the bittersweet and joyful experience of the artist’s hybrid identity and daily life.
His portfolio encompassing film, architecture, art & design, Murugiah has worked with Apple, Disney, and Lucasfilm and has recently collaborated with Netflix as part of a ‘Stranger Things’ book. His work has been featured in prestigious international institutions such as Young V&A, London and White Space Chelsea, New York. His installations and murals have also been featured at River of Light Festival, Liverpool and Saatchi & Saatchi, London.
The exhibition is on view at Saskia Fernando Gallery, 41 Horton Place, Colombo 07 until July 20, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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