Kumkum Fernando's Art Is A Kaleidoscope Of Myth, Memory, Storytelling, & Futurism

They emerged from the folds of time, towering figures woven from stories as old as the earth itself. Beings of intricate geometry, adorned in the vibrant hues of lotus petals and the whispers of ancient prayers, they stand as messengers from a forgotten past and an imagined future. These sentinels bear patterns etched in the memory of civilizations, their forms echoing the motifs of Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Their purpose? To remind us of what we’ve left behind and what we’re yet to become. These are Sril Lankan artist Kumkum Fernando's humanoid creations that sit at the intersection of futurism and ancient spirituality.

Born in Sri Lanka, Kumkum grew up surrounded by an eclectic collection of antiques, statues, and masks curated by his father. The deeply rooted culture of Sri Lanka — its folklore, myths, and rituals — shaped his creative foundation. Stories of gods, giants, and demons were an integral part of his childhood, nurturing his fascination with the mystical and the ancient.

Kumkum’s journey as an artist was equally shaped by his environment in Saigon, Vietnam, where he spent over 15 years. It was here that his obsession with intricate window grills and gates began. "I started documenting and tracing these designs; collecting patterns,” Kumkum shares. A serendipitous moment in his studio transformed these patterns into characters — faces and bodies emerged, evolving into digital and three-dimensional forms. “Looking back, I can see how much my upbringing shaped my artworks,” he reflects. This interplay of childhood wonder and cultural memory is the soul of Kumkum’s creations.

Nature plays muse to Kumkum’s vivid colour palette. The hues of flowers, butterflies, and sunsets serve as a living library, one that he constantly draws from. These natural inspirations blend with his fascination for tribal masks from West Africa and Sri Lanka as well as Hindu temples, creating a dialogue between the traditional and the futuristic. “I’m deeply influenced by mythology,” Kumkum explains. Tibetan temples, Mahayana Buddhism, and Hindu mythology inform his artistic vocabulary, with lotus motifs appearing frequently in his designs. These floral elements are more than decorative; they connect his work to the spiritual and symbolic realms of the myths he cherishes. Retro-futurism also weaves through Kumkum’s work. The imaginative worlds of artist Moebius have left an indelible mark, inspiring Kumkum’s ability to blend the ancient with the futuristic.

When Kumkum was invited to create art for Coachella, it was a dream realised. The festival offered him the chance to imagine without constraints, resulting in three towering sculptures that measured in at over 20 meters tall. These sculptures, collectively titled 'The Messengers', are deeply personal, acting as an "album of memories brought to life through sculptures".

'The Flying Ilo', named after his son, is a testament to longing and love. The piece envisions Ilo with a jetpack, faster than a billion comets, crossing the night sky to reunite with his father. “This is dedicated to all the missing parts of our hearts that cannot be with us right now,” Kumkum shares. It’s a poetic tribute to connection, hope, and the enduring power of love.

'Lotus One', inspired by Kumkum’s first figurative sculpture, celebrates the beauty of the lotus. A pattern traced from an antique window grill in Hanoi became the centerpiece of this work, embodying the artist’s fascination with floral symbolism. The story behind 'Lotus One' is told through the curious eyes of a child questioning her mother about the origins of lotus flowers — a playful yet profound homage to memory and imagination.

The final piece, 'Empress of the Garden', is a guardian deity for nature. Drawing from Hindu mythology and retro sci-fi aesthetics, Kumkum envisioned her as a protector of flowers, trees, and Mother Earth herself. Covered in intricate patterns and inscribed with Sinhalese text, the Empress is both otherworldly and deeply rooted in Kumkum’s heritage.

Kumkum’s art extends beyond visuals and are often paired with short narratives that offer audiences a glimpse into the characters’ personalities. “I wouldn’t exactly call it poetry,” Kumkum humbly notes. “It’s mostly very personal, written in a way that my 8-year-old son can understand.” These texts, whether a heartfelt dedication or a curious tale, transform his sculptures into living, breathing beings.

Through his 'Reborn' series and monumental works like 'The Messengers', Kumkum Fernando bridges the ancient and the contemporary. His art, steeped in Sri Lankan folklore, East Asian aesthetics, and futuristic imaginings, creates a dialogue that feels both timeless and cutting-edge. Kumkum’s work reminds us of the power of memory, the beauty of cultural heritage, and the many ways history is reinterpreted over time. Through his otherworldly beings, the artist demonstrates how the stories of those who came before us become part of our own.

Follow Kumkum here.

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