Interview
Shanali Perera
Dr. Shanali Perera, a Manchester-based self-taught contemporary artist, embarked on a transformative journey following a career-altering encounter with Vasculitis during her Rheumatology specialization in 2009. Forced to depart from her medical career, this poignant shift led her to embrace art as a medium of expression, marking her evolution from clinician to patient to rediscovering her individuality. Born and raised in the vibrant cultural tapestry of Sri Lanka, India, and the West Indies, Shanali's multicultural upbringing cultivated a deep appreciation for diverse experiences, languages, and cultures. This rich background significantly influences her artistic vision. Her abstract art delves into 'the embodied invisible' - a visceral portrayal of her intricate relationship with illness, rendering the intangible visible. Through her artworks, she seeks to elucidate the profound impact of illness on identity, communication, and the human experience, while striving to bridge the gap between the medical understanding of disease and the human concept of illness.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Shanali's multifaceted roles as an educator, author, and retired physician converge at the intersections of art, medical education, and patient advocacy. Her talks, workshops, and conferences revolve around raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and offering support at the intersection of identity and illness. Fluent in both English and Sinhala, she currently resides in Manchester, UK, infusing her emotive art with cultural nuances that resonate deeply with audiences, fostering connections that transcend boundaries.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and raised in Colombo. I embarked on a journey that blended medicine and artistry, studying Medicine at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad, and later pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK. Growing up in diverse cultural landscapes—spanning Sri Lanka, India, and the West Indies—imbued me with a deep appreciation for varied cultures, languages, and human experiences, shaping my artistic perspective. My trajectory in the medical field took an unexpected turn when I encountered Vasculitis, a rare auto-immune illness, during my specialization in Rheumatology. This pivotal moment forced me to transition from a clinical career to living the reality of illness. It was an immense transformation that disrupted my life in profound ways. It marked the beginning of my present journey in the art world, where I found solace and purpose in artistic expression as a means of navigating the complexities of my lived experience with illness. Vasculitis redefined my existence, eroding my sense of self, distorting my image, and restricting my freedom—physically, emotionally, and socially. It was an experience of feeling fragmented, grappling with loss of control, and navigating the overwhelming impact on every facet of my life.
Amidst this turmoil, art emerged as a beacon of hope and renewal. Art has been a part of my life from an early age. I've always seen art in everything around me—whether in the sky, on the ground, or etched on the barks of trees. The pivotal moment for me was realizing that while I couldn't control the progression of my illness, I could control what I created. This realization marked a turning point. Art became a profound expression of my journey, enabling me to symbolize and interpret my experience of pain. Visualizing my pain helped me understand its perception and the profound impact it had on my life. It became a means to regain the control I had lost. Expressing myself artistically allowed me to capture the invisible aspects of my experience, transforming my lived reality into a life marked by balance, purpose, and significance. As I transitioned from clinician to patient and then rediscovered my identity as a person, I learned to see beyond the confines of illness. Today, my mantra echoes loudly: "I am not the illness – I am a person first."”
What inspires you?
“Inspiration for me, emanates from the intricate interplay between illness, identity, connection, and communication, all pivotal elements shaping my artwork's composition and symbolism. My art isn't merely a representation; it's an exploration of the profound. What motivates me are the myriad experiences encountered along my journey - the ebbs and flows, the adaptations, and the uncertainties. These components aren't just part of my narrative; they form essential elements that emphasize the intricate nuances of life. I draw inspiration from life's rhythm and cadence, utilizing my canvases as a conduit to transform personal adversity into a balanced, purposeful, and meaningful existence. This transformation is a testament to my evolution, transitioning from a clinician to a patient, and ultimately rediscovering myself.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“In my artistic pursuit, I aim to bridge the chasm between the clinical perception of disease and the personal understanding of illness. Through art, I navigate the intersection between the biomedical focus and the human experience, endeavoring to narrow this perceptual gap. Art, in its various forms, serves as a gateway for communication, fostering an understanding of emotions, coping mechanisms, and the complexities of regaining control amid overwhelming challenges. My work transcends boundaries, engaging healthcare professionals, educators, students, and the broader community in exploring adaptive coping, self-care, and introspection. By harnessing art's abstract nature and facilitating inner reflection, I endeavor to expand perspectives within clinical practices, encouraging innovative approaches to healthcare. Beyond illness, my art seeks to showcase the multifaceted dimensions of life, emphasizing that there is more to an individual than the health challenges they face. It endeavors to make illness visible, confronting societal prejudices, stereotypes, and stigma. Sometimes, words are insufficient to articulate the invisible world of lived experiences, and through art, I aim to fill that gap, providing a visual language for the intangible. Throughout my creative journey, I underscore the role of art in self-management of chronic illness, empowering individuals to take charge of their health creatively. Art is instrumental in objectifying subjective experiences, giving form to emotions and pain. Moreover, it serves as a tool for self-expression, fostering well-being, self-discovery, and personal growth. In summary, my art represents a deliberate embrace of imperfections, inviting exploration and engagement with life's rhythms. It stands as an open invitation to delve into sensory experiences, offering an opportunity to explore and connect with the complexities of the human condition.”
“Inspiration for me, emanates from the intricate interplay between illness, identity, connection, and communication, all pivotal elements shaping my artwork's composition and symbolism.”
How would you describe your work?
“My art embodies a fusion of Abstract, Rhythmic, and Energetic expressions, serving as a testament to my experience living with pain and illness. Whether manifested digitally, in acrylics, or through mixed media, each canvas serves as my interpretation as an artist, clinician, and an individual navigating life with illness. These pieces collectively craft a visual narrative, candidly portraying my intricate relationship with illness. Utilizing the potent language of color, I reveal my otherwise invisible world, conceptualizing the essence of movement, particularly in its enigmatic forms, submerged beneath the surface. My abstraction seeks to question the concept of movement itself, employing colors and movement to illustrate the dance between chaos and serenity. Figures, when present, symbolize interconnectedness, support, and communal strength. Textures and layers further enrich my work, offering a sensory dimension, inviting varied interpretations between my audience and me. In my art, I relentlessly explore the dynamics between illness, identity, connection, and communication, crafting compositions infused with symbolism. Each piece, an intense personal moment, objectifies emotions, inviting a dialogue that empowers self-discovery and understanding. I aspire for this conversation to extend to you, the viewer, encouraging a pause to Feel, to Connect, and to See beyond the surface, inviting an exploration of the inner self. Be moved!”
Which artists influence you most?
“Frida Kahlo, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Mark Rothko, Picasso and Leonardo Davinci.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is a free-flowing expression, a direct translation of my emotions onto the canvas without active thoughts constraining the moment. When my fingers move, guided by the emotions I feel, it's liberating. Colours become my language, capturing the essence of my experiences. In this zone, I feel truly connected to myself, a moment of pure liberation and energy, allowing me to express precisely what I feel and wish to convey. The process involves questioning movement through abstraction, creating a dynamic interplay between the audience and me, fostering varied interpretations. Whether I'm pouring acrylic paint or working digitally, the rhythms and energies of nature—the gusting winds, thrashing waves, or stormy skies—inspire relatability, expressing the inner turmoil. It's about bringing forth the chaotic mess within, expressing the experience of energetic forces. I usually work on multiple canvases concurrently with acrylic. Witnessing colours take form and capture my invisible thoughts, making them visible, evokes unparalleled excitement and switches my reaction from exhaustion to exhilaration. In terms of planning, unless it's commissioned work, I don't pre-plan. As an intuitive contemporary artist, I'm devoted to translating the intricacies of human experience into compelling visual narratives. Regarding my physical challenges due to Vasculitis, I've adapted my artistic approach. I paint with my hands, throw paint, use unconventional tools like sticks and rags, and allow tremors in my fingers to shape lines. This illness distorts my reality, but through art, I find control to shape my own narrative, exploring the intersection between illness and art. Despite these challenges, my art speaks of resilience and creativity, emphasizing that beauty can be found even amidst adversity.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“As an artist, I perceive a pivotal role in society where I aim to generate awareness around the concealed dimensions of the long-term illness experience, fostering individual and collective transformation. My artwork draws from my personal journey with illness, focusing on the intersections of art, illness, and identity to diminish stigma, raise awareness, and bridge the gap between the medical focus on disease and the human perspective on illness. Through my creative process, I've witnessed the transformative impact it had on my ability to navigate life with a rare long-term illness. Art became a tool, complementing medication and other therapies, aiding in my adaptation and management of life with a chronic condition. My art endeavors seek to bring public awareness to various facets of living with invisible inflammatory conditions, emphasizing their profound impact on individuals' lives, challenging stigma, and advocating for a deeper understanding of the complexities of invisible illnesses. My artistic focus aims to initiate conversations around how creative empowerment influences one's coping mechanisms, elucidate the impact of illness on self-identity and stigma, and act as a bridge between the biomedical and human perspectives. Additionally, I aspire to foster collaborations within the arts and health community to further explore and integrate the benefits of creative interventions in multidisciplinary approaches to illness self-management. In contemplating the roles artists can fulfill, I see an opportunity for engagement in healthcare settings. Art can serve as a powerful communication tool in clinics, allowing patients to express experiences that might be challenging to articulate verbally. Moreover, research indicates that involving individuals in creative activities can alleviate strain on healthcare systems and empower individuals to take control of their well-being. Considering these potentials, artists might contribute as intermediaries, facilitating creative avenues for therapeutic expression and potentially reducing healthcare demands.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My exhibitions include Physical Gallery Displays with Artboxy Partner Galleries: Case Del Arte, Palma, Spain (2023); Johnathan Schultz Gallery, Miami, USA (2023); Art Lab California, Los Angeles, USA (2023); Thomson Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland (2023); Finity Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2023); Nicolleta Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2023); Andie Art Gallery, Athens, Greece (2023); Andakulova Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2023); Virtual Group Exhibitions: The Holy Art Gallery, London UK - UBIQUITY & FLUIDITY EXHIBITION (2021-2022); D31 Art Gallery, Doncaster, UK - D31 Winter ‘TOGETHERNESS’ Exhibition (2022); Capital Culture House, Madrid, Spain - EPHEMERAL (2022); Art Fairs: Art Expo, Zurich, Switzerland (2022); New York Art Expo, USA (2023); Art Expo Basel, Switzerland (2023); Creating Artwork for the campaigns: I was commissioned to do all the artwork as part of a creative initiative See Me Hear Me for ANCA Vasculitis. I was consulted to co-produce a patient platform with art and voice with the rare diseases team at Vifor Pharma, Zurich, Switzerland. I created a piece of artwork that visually showcase rare disease from a healthcare professional perspective as part of I am number 17 awareness campaign organized by Takeda UK.”
