Temples is an early work by Thathiah, submitted as part of his MA thesis at UDW. It was acquired by the Durban Art Gallery shortly after he exhibited it.
While aspects of this work certainly reflect ritual elements of Hinduism (the flame visible in each building, the bright red and yellow colours), the two buildings bear little resemblance to the ornate structures one might associate with Hindu temples. Instead, Thathiah gestures at the social and political landscape of South Africa at the time in which this work was produced.
Artwork courtesy of Durban Art Gallery.
Artwork Info
Kiren Thathiah
Temples
1988
Crayon and ink on canvas
59 x 72.5 centimeters