Street theater is a universal phenomenon, though as is evident in Sri Lanka, it has evolved according to the social conditions of each country.Here the Viridu singer or balladeer was perhaps the earliest to inter-act with the people on the streets, giving his story of some sensational happening together with his satiric and humorous comments.
The present Street theater movement in Sri Lanka, which has over 50 street theater companies, was founded in 1974 by Dr Gamini Haththotuwegama, and his troupe continues to perform in both urban and rural areas in Sri Lanka.
They have developed a dramatic scene criticising the flaws of society and these are relevant to the typical problems faced by their audience standing on the payments. This inspired me to do a series of portraits of them holding a frame, which I later embossed a mirror where the viewer could see his or her own face. It's conceptual meaning was to show that they themselves are part of this unfair society.
