A vibrant journey through the art of Dr. Shanali Perera, a self-taught Sri Lankan born artist.

‍‍See yourself through art. Be inspired. Be moved.

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.
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.

Movement is in me, in you, in us. Feel it, be it, live it. Be moved!

Manchester-based, self-taught contemporary artist Dr Shanali Perera is making it her life’s mission to help others to understand illness visually. Her work centres on abstract expressionism with figurative undertones.
‍While specialising in Rheumatology she developed Vasculitis, a rare autoimmune condition. It was this that forced her to quit her medical career. Her abstract expressions are of the embodied invisible - a visual narrative which portrays an honest representation of her relationship with illness. "By making my illness visible through art I understood how to accept, cope, and communicate with myself and others" says Shanali.
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Discovering the artistic process.

It's a journey of self-discovery, experimentation, and pushing boundaries. On the process page, Dr Shanali Perera shares insights into her creative process and inspiration behind her art.
Learn the Process

Featured

Women in Art Biennale London (Sep 2024)

Shanali's artwork One with Mess was recently exhibited at the Women in Art Biennale, held at the historic Chelsea Old Town Hall (Sept 26-29, 2024). Curated by Bisa Bennet from Atrio Gallery, this biennale celebrates women's voices in art. Shanali's piece Shanali's artwork One with Mess was recently exhibited at the Women in Art Biennale, held at the historic Chelsea Old Town Hall (Sept 26-29, 2024). Curated by Bisa Bennet from Atrio Gallery, this biennale celebrates women's voices in art.

Through One with Mess, Shanali explores empowerment through chaos, embracing vulnerability and resilience. The piece gives visibility to the human complexity of emotion, connection, and cultural narratives around womanhood, illness, and disability. It delves deep into the intersection of chronic illness and social perceptions, using her own personal narrative to inspire understanding and change.

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Part of The PATH exhibit at the Palazzo Pisani Revedin, (Sep - Nov 2024)

Shanali Perera's artwork, Collective Strength, is proudly featured in the Path Exhibition at the Palazzo Pisani-Revedin, during the Venice Biennale 2024 (Sept 5 - Nov 3). Curated by Amy Jackson and powered by the SHIM network, this exhibition brings together 64 international artists exploring themes of social justice.

Through Collective Strength, Shanali addresses the often-hidden realities of chronic illness, challenging stereotypes and cultural perceptions. This work encourages inclusivity, making the 'Invisible Visible' in a world that often overlooks disability and underscores art's power to create visibility and promote cultural change.

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