In Living Memory

“In Living Memory” explores identity and displacement in the 21st century through portraits of the last indigenous tribes of Sri Lanka - The Wanniyala-Aeto.

For over 30,000 years, Sri Lanka’s Wanniyala-Aeto tribe acted as forest custodians, trading wild bee honey, herbal medicines and meat. Their way of life blended secure and independent livelihoods with sustained traditions. But this was fading. Modernisation, resettlement and loss of hunting rights resulted in pursuit of other employment avenues such as subsistence farming and unskilled work.

This ongoing body of work “In Living Memory” in collaboration with the Wanniyala-Aeto communities and the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka explores identity and displacement in the 21st century: How we define a culture in modern times, and what it means to be geographically, culturally and economically displaced. The work prompts us to reflect on how we conserve the immaterial side of traditions and practices, and why, when environments change. When a way of being is superseded, by force or will, and shifts to a different reality filled with new codes, rituals and destinies.

Black and white portraits of the last leading chiefs depict tribespeople with eyes closed, preserving and suspending a fleeting moment of strength, knowledge, ancient wisdom and vulnerability.