Ceylon Black

In the hushed moments between epochs, where history casts long shadows and the future hovers like an uncertain mirage, I ventured into the heart of Sri Lanka in the year 2018. A nation, postured between the shadows of war’s aftermath and the impending storm of economic uncertainties set to unfold in the year that followed. This photo series is an exploration of the delicate equilibrium struck in that fleeting moment, where hope and challenges engage in a poignant dance.

The people of Sri Lanka, marked by the scars of conflict, find solace in the act of rebuilding. In their faces, one sees the anticipation of a brighter future, a testament to the indomitable spirit that emerged as the nation sought to heal its wounds and redefine its identity in the post-war era.

Yet, as Sri Lanka embraced the prospects of tourism as a beacon of economic revival, a double-edged reality began to reveal itself. The photographs within this series unravel the complexities and challenges that accompanied the surge in tourism. Amidst the picturesque landscapes and vibrant streets, the tension between preserving cultural authenticity and navigating the transformative wave of visitors becomes palpable.

Ceylon Black invites you to immerse yourself in the nuanced tales unfolding against the backdrop of Sri Lanka in 2018. Each photograph is a fragment of a larger narrative—a glimpse into a moment where hope, challenges, and impending uncertainties converge, capturing the essence of a nation on the precipice of change, suspended between the echoes of the past and the foreboding uncertainties of the future.

Cas Bochner