Holding a brush is difficult for Dr Shanali Perera due to Vasculitis, a rare autoimmune illness caused by inflammation in blood vessels affecting the blood supply of various organs, skin and nerves. This condition causes her hands to ache and cramp with repeated use. Despite these physical challenges, she continues to create. She paints with her hands, throws paint onto the canvas, uses rags, sticks, and pieces of wood to scratch the surface and reveal layers. The tremors in her fingers shape the lines.
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Fatigued and in pain, Dr Perera is driven by pure emotion as she pours the acrylic paint and an image begins to emerge. The sheer excitement of capturing the invisible and making it visible exhilarates her. The same applies to her digital work, only here she controls what she creates with a little more precision. Through her art, she distorts the reality of her illness and gives it new meaning. It is a form of therapy that allows her to express herself and connect with others.

In addition to her physical challenges, Dr Perera faces mental hurdles as well. Her illness distorts her reality, but through her art, she can gain control and shape her own narrative. It is a way for her to explore the intersection between illness and art, to capture the intangible and bring it to life. Despite the difficulties she faces, Dr Perera's art is a testament to her resilience and creativity. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, beauty can be found.