From Identity Struggles to Bold Art: Murugiah’s Unique Cultural Mashup

Murugiah is an illustrator and artist who lives in south London. He grew up in a Sri Lankan family in a small Welsh town, which made him feel different from the people around him. At school, he tried to fit in with the local Welsh culture, but sometimes he did not understand certain British traditions because he did not grow up with them at home. He said there were moments when he felt like he was just another British kid, but then he would remember he was not.

This struggle with identity is now a big part of his art. Murugiah has an exhibition at the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in Clerkenwell. His work is displayed across the first floor and includes references to his Sri Lankan heritage as well as his British surroundings. One of his pieces, called 'Cried a River and Drowned the Whole World,' is about thinking about your place in a world that is always changing.

In 2020, Murugiah decided to focus more on his South Asian roots and the mix of cultures he grew up with. Instead of copying comic book characters, he started to create new art inspired by things like Sri Lankan Raksha masks, which are used in ceremonies and dances. He redesigned these masks to fit his own style, influenced by his Western upbringing and the cartoons he watched as a child in the UK.

When visitors come to his exhibition, they are greeted by a 3D artwork with colorful masks and flowers. Murugiah believes that the feeling of not really knowing who you are is something many people experience, not just him. His exhibition, called 'Ever Feel Like... ', is about his life and identity.

As a child, Murugiah felt like an outsider. While other kids played during their free time, he preferred to spend time in the art room, making art by himself. He never imagined he would have his own solo exhibition, especially in the same building as one of his childhood heroes, Quentin Blake. He says it is a huge honor and very humbling.

Murugiah got his exhibition by reaching out to the centre's artistic director. He was making small paintings that he thought would be a good fit for the centre, and they liked his work. He believes in asking for opportunities instead of waiting for them to come. This approach has helped him get jobs with big names like Apple, Elton John, Marvel, Disney, and Warner Brothers. He says, 'If you don't ask, you don't get. '

His exhibition 'Ever Feel Like... ' is open until the end of August and is the first in a series of shows with UK-based illustrators. Murugiah hopes his story will inspire others to be proud of their backgrounds and to go after what they want in life.