By Aakil Riyaz
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Though qualifying in software engineering, Maheli took the brave decision to pursue her passion as a full-time artist
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Maheli’s story is a testament to how a leap of faith is all that it takes to realise your dreams
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The world of Maheli Mudalige in colours
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Maheli Mudalige is a self-taught artist making waves in the contemporary art scene in Sri Lanka. Having recently been placed among the top 15 winners at the Pearl Protectors Art Competition celebrating ‘World Ocean’s Day’, Maheli’s story is a testament to how a leap of faith is all that it takes to realise your dreams.
A past pupil of Wycherley International School, Maheli always had an inherent aptitude for art. With her schooling successfully completed, she pursued a diploma in software engineering. Yet, there was a persistent voice in the back of her head telling her that it really wasn’t her calling in life. She reflects on having to choose software engineering in retrospect to pursuing art as, ‘It didn’t really sit with me, even though it sat right with the world’. Despite writing hours of code and clicking away at a keyboard, Maheli did not feel the exhilaration painting brough her.
In July 2024, Maheli took the brave decision to pursue her passion as a full-time artist. Despite the overarching unpredictability of the path she had chosen, Maheli felt that this was her chance to finally begin anew. She mentions this as a defining moment in her life and calls this a ‘leap of faith’. “I wanted to unleash my creativity and that is what I set out to do”, Maheli says.
As a self-taught artist Maheli attributes her progress to a good amount of trial and error. “What I want to do is trust myself as an artist.” Trusting the flow, the brushstrokes and creating what she sees in her mind’s eye, has been the fuel to her artistic spirit.
Art very much is a reflection of the artist’s soul and Maheli imbues all her energy into it, not just to create a pretty picture but one with both substance & depth. Maheli mentions, that ‘I want to show people how I see life, because I see life as magic’.
Her most notable painting titled ‘agony’ is an ode to the inner turmoil she experienced at a certain point in life. Maheli also adds a philosophical and mature perspective to what her art aims to be ,”I like to maintain a universal balance in my art. Painting elements that involve both darkness and light helps me showcase my full emotional spectrum”. This cathartic approach has enabled Maheli to convey a deeper meaning of her art out to the world.
Maheli is extremely grateful to her father who supported her dreams and empowered the artist within her. She very wisely adds, ‘Most people go their entire lives without pursuing their dreams or not doing something they like’. She also alludes to a quote from the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, ‘When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it’, which has greatly reframed her perspective of facing challenges in life.
Maheli defines art more or less as a ‘coming together’ of different elements which is a parabolic nod to life itself. She also reflects on various phases in her life, which she experienced in both a colourful and monochromatic light. Taking inspiration from these scenarios that have shaped her life, Maheli creates a rich accretion of lived experiences to base her work on
Outmaneuvering societal pressures and building a grounded foundation for herself as an artist was the toughest part so far. ‘My journey has been more about decentering away from the world and recentering on my art instead’, Maheli says. Moreover, Maheli is filled with nothing but gratitude towards the opportunities she has been graced with, since taking up the mantle as a full-time artist.
At the beginning, Maheli essentially worked with acrylic paints, but as she transitioned into to a full time artist, she began experimenting with various other materials. From embroidery, to natural clay, yarn and occasionally throwing in acrylic paints, Maheli has experimented with a plethora of materials.
Maheli defines art more or less as a ‘coming together’ of different elements which is a parabolic nod to life itself. She also reflects on various phases in her life, which she experienced in both a colourful and monochromatic light. Taking inspiration from these scenarios that have shaped her life, Maheli creates a rich accretion of lived experiences to base her work on.
For Maheli transitioning into a full time career as an artist has been a transcendent experience. She has had to learn and unlearn much, both in terms of life and art. She wittily adds, ‘colour means so much to me because it’s a source of self-esteem and self-expression’.
Prior to displaying her work at Kala Pola 2024, Maheli had extremely high expectations, but seeing the work of other artists being displayed, planted a seed of doubt in her mind, leading her to question the outcome of her work. Yet, she knew in her heart of hearts that she had to persevere and so she did. “I can’t really control the external factors, so all I can do is just trust the process and trust myself”, Maheli says with confidence.
Maheli’s journey thus far is one born of self-reclamation She is also elated by the prospect of being able to sell her art, something she never imagined would be possible. Taking back control of her life has been one of the truly gratifying opportunities this career has given her.
Chief among her aspirations are to hold a solo exhibition where she aims to explore the full spectrum of human emotions through her art. Maheli also undertakes commissioned art pieces, conducts workshops and has eased into her role as a full time artist. “I’m painting my soul away”, she says with excitement.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, reinvigorated and made anew, Maheli has ebulliently taken flight into her own world of canvas and paint.
