Are you a full-time artist? 

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I am committed to making art full time whilst engaging in casual employment for supplementary income.  

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What is your background?

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I was born in Penang, Malaysia. I am a second-generation Malaysian of South Indian heritage. My mother tongue is Tamil. I received primary and secondary education in a government-run school in the national language, which is Malay. I was taught English as a subject in school; it's my third language.

 

I completed year 12 in Australia with a Victorian High School Certificate under an international student exchange programme. I went on to obtain a bachelor's degree and professional qualifications in the United Kingdom. I lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur before moving to Melbourne in 2005. I practised my vocation in Melbourne for several years.  

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When did you start your art career?

 

I've always been creative and dabbled in making art throughout my life. As a teenager, I was keen on pursuing a fine art degree, but family obligations took me in a different direction. In 2013, I threw caution to the wind and gave up my chosen profession to go on an inward journey of self-discovery and to follow my dream of making art for a living. 

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Have you had any formal art training?

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I am primarily a self-taught artist. I have had a modest amount of instruction during a short course at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.

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Why do you make this type of ​art?

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The artworks are an integral part of my self-expression. Each piece captures a moment in time along the journey.

 

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What inspires you to paint?

 

Mostly, inspiration comes from within. Sometimes, I am moved by artful images or interesting works by other artists.

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What would you like to say to the audience?

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The artworks are intended to speak to the inner child in the audience. I would be pleased if those who come into contact with my work took a little time to contemplate these three questions without over-analysing:  'Does this art engage my attention?'; 'What do I see?'; 'How do I feel?'

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What art do you most identify with?

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I love all forms of artistic expression. Artworks could be realistic or abstract; it's not so much the genre or level of skill, but how the artwork speaks to me that matters. I like some artworks for their aesthetics and others for their imaginative or intellectual content.

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What is your attitude towards creativity in society?

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Creativity is woven into everything that we see, hear and do. Art is creativity in its purest form. By making time for art, one can find relief from the tedium of everyday life and seek balance in a world that is driven by an insatiable desire for more.

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How do you name the artworks?

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The artworks are untitled. They are referenced by sequential numbers, such as S261/2018, S262/2018, etc.

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Why don't you give the artwork a title?

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Art lovers tend to view artworks through the lens of the artist; often, they are influenced by names and titles. By abstaining from descriptions, I allow my audience to have a subjective visceral experience.

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What is the purpose of repetition in your work?

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In my work, repetition represents theme, rhythm, and movement in what seems random juxtapositions of shapes, colours, and lines. Some artists might find any type of repetition a challenge because they consider it uninspiring and boring. However, I believe that it's not possible to explore the furthest depth of one's creativity without keeping your focus in one direction.

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What’s integral to the work of an emerging artist?

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I believe it's consistency. Artists who consistently produce artworks that exhibit focus, personal voice, and aesthetic sensibility show a strong commitment to their practice; they have the potential to gain a devoted following and pique the interest of serious collectors.

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What’s your favourite memory of childhood?

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I grew up in a small town (Taiping, Perak) in Malaysia that is known for its natural surroundings: tropical jungle, hills, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes. We lived in a working-class neighbourhood where most parents could hardly make ends meet; so, children were left to their own devices for fun and entertainment. My fondest memories of childhood are mainly of times spent outdoors playing and having all sorts of adventure.  Those close to me know I am still a fun-loving, playful, and mischievous kid at heart.

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How has your lifestyle changed since you began this artistic-cum-spiritual journey?

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My lifestyle has not changed much. I enjoy what others enjoy but my wants and needs have reduced substantially. I am more at peace knowing that everything will work itself out according to a natural order. Each person has a role to play in things that come into their daily life without becoming attached to outcomes. What needs your attention will present itself in your path; there is no need to go looking. Nonetheless, I do sometimes slip and get sucked into the drama around me. 

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Spiritual awareness is a practice, not an achievement. That said, I do not believe the practice leads to a boring and restrictive lifestyle; on the contrary, it has the potential to liberate us from the shackles of misconceptions and renew our sense of joy and playfulness. I share my introspective learning with those who feel an affinity towards the propostion that existential reality is subjective and not objective; it's not my intention to persuade anyone to subscribe to this proposition.

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What's your take on finding enduring happiness?

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I believe the path to happiness depends largely on realising these three elements: the nature of our inner essence, the subjectivity of existential reality, and the role of attention in recurring experiences. 

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What does being an artist mean to you?

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To me, being an artist is experiencing inner peace, joy, and contentment through creativity and self-expression.

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What are your aspirations and goals?

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As an artist, I hope to consistently produce and exhibit new works. Personally, I aim to be inwardly focused and simply be myself - warts and all - through the ebb and flow of life experiences.