Peace Hunter Poster

Sri Lanka, where I live, recently gained its independence after enduring thirty years of war. I have experienced this firsthand, and it remains a deeply tragic reality. Certain groups have long been invested in perpetuating conflict, with parasitic factions thriving on war. These groups are deeply entrenched in today's world, and when there is no active conflict, they work to create an environment that fosters one, allowing them to continue profiting from the turmoil. Unfortunately, the general population remains largely unaware of these underlying truths. In Sri Lanka, this reality had dire consequences, affecting the economy, social life, education, healthcare, and much more.I did not want to point a finger at any race, religion, country, or individual, as these are the most sensitive topics that can easily ignite conflict. These are often the very factors that fuel wars, sparking tensions anywhere, at any time. I didn’t want to create another war by highlighting these issues in a poster series.However, this issue is not only unique to Sri Lanka; it is a global reality. Throughout history, especially during world wars, there have always been forces at work to maintain conflict. That’s why I named this poster series "Peace Hunters." It symbolizes the ongoing search for peace, even in the face of those who profit from war.

In my view, olive branches and doves have become symbols of peace that are often more about marketing than meaningful representation. These symbols have turned into mere props, commercialized in today’s world. But if there is no conflict and no harm being done, do we even need a symbol of peace? Why rely on a symbol if we aren't actively working towards its real-life presence? As long as peace is reduced to a symbol, no one is truly motivated to maintain or pursue it.With this in mind, I wanted to illustrate the true nature of peace—where it exists, where it doesn’t, and where it may never be. I also incorporated symbols, but not in the traditional sense. Instead of presenting peace through familiar emblems, I used elements from nature as symbols to convey the core message of the posters. It’s about showing how we can lose our peace, and how nature often holds valuable life lessons. In this case, I applied natural theory in a practical way to express the concept.

I’ve seen many times when war seemed to be coming to an end, only for some internal or external involvement to prevent it. Every time, it seemed like peace was within reach, and discussions were held, but unfortunately, they were never fruitful. The issue was that whenever a third party supported reconciliation, there was always another party opposed to it. I wonder when people will truly realize that there’s nothing to gain from war. In my life, all I’ve ever seen from war is loss—loss of everything. Meanwhile, the benefits of war are always reaped by outsiders who actively oppose peace.