Shaanea, a Sri Lankan-born Visual Artist, currently resides in Copenhagen, Denmark (2022). She holds a BA (Hons) degree from The Lasalle College of The Arts, Singapore (2007) and has showcased her works in exhibitions across Singapore, Sri Lanka, and India. After relocating from Mumbai to Colombo in 2018 and being based in Sri Lanka from 2018 to 2021, Shaanea's artistic journey has been rich with diverse experiences. She was featured in the Art Trail of the Galle Literary Festival 2019 and actively participated in various workshops supported by esteemed organizations such as Colomboscope, Pro Helvetia, EUNIC, The British Council, The North South Network, The Alliance Française, and Theertha Artist’s Collective. Additionally, she was invited by the Geoffrey Bawa Trust to lead the gold leafing workshop, the first in a series held at De Saram House. Shaanea also contributed her expertise as a short-term consultant for The World Bank Group, focusing on 'Creative Cities', collaborating with the Tokyo Development Learning Centre and the renowned Japanese Art Director, Fram Kitagawa, along with the Art Front Gallery team, Japan. Currently, Shaanea is represented by the Saskia Fernando Gallery in Colombo. Her artistic practice revolves around a meditative process, drawing inspiration from intricate biological patterns and textures found in nature. These elements serve as both a meditative process and as metaphors to communicate subtle political and social commentary. Her artworks often feature oxidized iron/rust stains, gold leaf, verdigris, delicate pen and ink, and watercolour renderings. Notably, her digital artwork 'The Helmet Man' gained widespread attention on social media, serving as a symbol of protest amidst the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Shaanea's artistic journey continues to evolve, weaving together elements of contemplation, activism, and aesthetic expression. I look forward to welcoming you at my creative workshops, where we will explore art as a means of contemplation, expression, and connection with the world around us.