Sisil Fernando
I am a Sri Lankan–born, UK-based visual artist working across painting, illustration, digital art, and cartooning. My practice brings together cultural storytelling, contemporary visual language, and lived experience, drawing from South Asian heritage and re-imagining it within British and global contexts.
Over the past decade, my work has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, and South Asia, and I was honoured to be named Cartoonist of the Year Sri Lanka (2019). My art explores the relationships between humans, animals, and the environments we share.
Through series such as Pet Power and Urban Sketch, I examine life energy, emotion, and memory — from the intimate bond between people and animals to the evolving character of modern cities. Combining realism with expressive and abstract techniques, I aim to create work that invites reflection and connection.
Alongside my studio practice, I work as a lecturer in visual communication and a senior art director, roles that inform my collaborative, research-driven approach. Through exhibitions, public projects, and mentorship, I am committed to contributing to an inclusive and culturally engaged arts landscape in the UK.
"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."