Photos courtesy of Barefoot Gallery
In his first solo exhibition on show at the Barefoot Gallery, Ponnaiyah Peter draws extensively from his experiences as a child growing up in the war torn North where life was a continuing cycle of fear, destruction, loss and displacement. The devastated lives of the people are depicted through mayflies and clouds, which are fleeting and ephemeral, constantly changing and ever unpredictable.
While concentrating on the immediate effects of the war, Peter’s work also explores memories of loss, ongoing suffering and the continued search for answers that remain unresolved after the war ended as well as the environmental consequences of war, including air pollution and the disruption of animal life and ecosystems. Although the sounds of war have ceased, unexploded landmines still remain in areas inhabited by people and wildlife. This persistent threat to free movement is another important theme explored in his work.
During the war, trunks of palmyra trees were used to construct bunkers to protect people. Within these bunkers, people lived with their families and relatives in confined conditions, spending their daily lives in restricted spaces. During bomb explosions, the palmyra trunks acted as protective barriers, preventing damage from blasts and debris. Until the war came to an end, human life was largely confined within these bunkers. In his artwork, Peter presents this by incorporating human figures, dark clouds and toxic environments within the inner structure of the palmyra trunk. Although it appears as a strong and resilient structure externally, it contains within it the fear, tension and fragile rhythm of human life.
In his work, Peter recounts the sad fate that befell livestock during the height of war. Livestock were a huge part of people’s livelihoods and scenes of them dying due to exhaustion, hunger and lack of water left a deep impression on Peter. He depicts the importance of the livestock and the burden they carried by showing their legs raised. It reflects the physical and emotional burden of displacement and how memories live on in the mind even after time.
Peter was born in Mullaitivu 1998 and grew up in Kilinochchi. He was just 10 years old when the war ended violently. Together with some members of his family, Peter witnessed the last stages of terror, hunger and panic at Mullivaikkal. Initially separated by the chaos, the family was later reunited in the refugee camps. After the war he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at the Eastern University and worked at the university as an assistant lecturer. Currently he is working as an artist and exhibiting his work.
Peter spoke to Groundviews about what influences his work and what he hopes will be its impact.
What is the relevance of the title Mayfly?
Mayfly is an insect that lives only for a day; its lifetime short, impermanent and temporary. I used the wings of the mayfly in almost every artwork in the exhibition because during war time our lives were also like that. It was uncertain as to what could happen at any moment. The mayfly also doesn’t know at what moment it is going to die. Our lives were so uncertain that we could die at any moment so we were expecting death at any moment.
What do the clouds signify?
Similar to the mayfly, clouds are also not permanent but move with time and wind and also change shape. Our lives during the war were like that as we kept on being displaced. Our lifestyles changed, similar to how clouds change.
What does the digital watch signify in your work?
During last days of war, we didn’t have food or dry rations. There was nothing to cook or eat. Then the LTTE opened one store for public to take dry rations. Everyone went in and took things from store. I took a digital watch and put it on my neck and took some coins tied in a handkerchief. I still have them; it’s a memory.
How did you get into exhibiting?
I haven’t exhibited in the North. This is my first solo exhibition. I had a group exhibition at Barefoot last year and sold all my work. From a young age I had a passion for art and learning about it. When I was doing my BA at the Eastern University, a lecturer would bring students to Colombo to visit exhibitions and galleries. I had the opportunity to exhibit my work through the George Keyt Foundation. I live in a Tamil village where there is no art so this exposure gave me the motivation to explore more, research more and to build up my skills and learn. Now I am concentrating on my art.
How has your art been influenced by your experience of the war?
The war has ended and life has changed but there are so many losses we have to face – loss of identity, land, animals, relatives and neighbours. We are burying the memories of those losses. I am trying to show these memories through my art to this generation who has no experience of war, who has never lived in a warzone and who don’t know what sort of life we lived and what we lost.
What are the environmental consequences of war explored in your work?
The two main polluted environments are land and air. The land has been badly affected by war. Even now crops are not cultivated like before. The cultivation is low and the harvest is low. The effect of air pollution is still there. I show it through dust in the clouds. People have breathing issues and respiratory diseases are still very prevalent in those areas. Land grabbing and land use by the army is still going on.
What do you hope people will experience from your work?
One is to educate the new generation who don’t know what happened in those days, to show our lived experiences, what happened then and what is happening now because of what we went through. Wars should be stopped. Second is land issues and land grabbing that is still going on. How we have experienced these issues, how hard it was for us and how it should not happen in future, to learn from those experiences. Third is to depict the environment pollution, to send a message because wars are happening worldwide now.
Has your art helped to ease your trauma?
I am not only showing the bad and traumatic experiences through my art. I am also trying to show the lived experiences. Not only bad experience but pleasant experiences as well. When I do traumatic art, it’s like reliving it. I have felt low but I am also putting it out. The pleasant experiences are while living in the camps I got to know many people from other areas and created new bonds and new relationships, so I have some good memories.
Are you angry or bitter about what you went through?
More than anger, it’s more of a loss and the grief of loss of relatives, friends and valuable assets. It could have been sorted out with mutual agreements with the government rather than going to war, which has caused irreparable loss. We fought for our rights so rather it’s a disappointment with the government. Even in the last moments, there could have been an agreement. It’s the same in the current global war. There could be agreements.
Are you scared of repercussions?
I have no fear because I am showing what has already happened, the truth. I haven’t got any threats.
Mayfly is showing at the Barefoot Gallery until April 25.
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