Artist Explores Dual Identity: Sri Lanka Meets UK Cartoons

Artist Murugiah's exhibition, "Ever Feel Like...", currently on display at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in Clerkenwell until August 31, 2026, showcases his exploration of identity. Murugiah, who grew up in a Sri Lankan household in Wales, often felt a disconnect between his heritage and British culture. This internal dichotomy is now the driving force behind his unique artistic style.

In 2020, Murugiah decided to embrace his South Asian heritage, merging it with his Western upbringing and influences from his childhood spent watching UK cartoons. His work features reimagined Sri Lankan Raksha masks, infused with his personal sensibilities and aesthetic. This approach creates art that reflects his lived experience as someone navigating multiple cultural landscapes.

Murugiah's journey to this solo exhibition involved proactively reaching out to the centre's artistic director, a strategy that has also secured him commissions from major clients like Apple and Disney. He believes in actively pursuing opportunities rather than waiting for them to arise, a mindset he feels is not always common. The exhibition is the first in a series at the centre, collaborating with UK-based illustrators.