Ponnaiyah Peter's (b. 1998, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka. Lives & works in Kilinochchi) practice is rooted in his childhood experiences growing up in the Vanni region of Kilinochchi during the early stages of the war. His work reflects the trauma of displacement, destruction, and loss, exploring how these experiences shape memory, identity, and the human relationship with land. Using natural elements such as clouds, dust, and mayfly wings, he translates environmental and human impacts of war into visual symbols. Fragmented textures, ephemeral forms, and rhythmic patterns evoke impermanence, environmental degradation, and the fragility of life, connecting personal and collective memory.
A graduate of the University of Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, he creates artworks that bridge past and present, inviting viewers to reflect on loss, resilience, and the ongoing struggle to reclaim home and rights.