"Swimming Against The Tide" Painting

I am a British artist of Sri Lankan heritage, and my work is rooted in a fascination with images that speak beyond the surface. At first glance, my paintings may seem simple—even obvious—but with time, they reveal hidden layers of meaning, drawing the viewer into a deeper, more emotional conversation. I want my work to connect, to provoke thought, and to leave a lasting impression. Animals often appear in my paintings as metaphors—symbols that carry universal resonance. Through them, I explore the human condition with a balance of humour, tenderness, and whimsy. Oils and charcoal are my chosen mediums; I use them with an instinctive, almost tactile energy, creating pieces that I hope are not only visually striking but also emotionally profound. My journey as an artist has been shaped by moments of recognition and honour. My work has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London, where I was a finalist in both the BP Portrait Award and the Taylor Wessing Portrait Award. At just 23, I was recognised by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters for producing the most outstanding work by a young artist. Beyond painting, my photography has reached a global audience: through Getty Images, my work is licensed worldwide and has appeared on the covers of TIME magazine, Le Monde, and other leading publications. At the heart of it all, my art is an invitation—to look closer, to feel deeper, and to find something of yourself within the work.