Binithi

Artist Biography

Binithi Nadya Karunanayaka a 21-year-old emerging artist from Calgary. She draws profound inspiration from her South Asian heritage. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies at the University of Calgary. Her artistic focus is capturing diverse identities through portraits enriched with meaningful design elements. Binithi's versatility is evident in her exploration of various artistic styles, including realism, surrealism, abstraction, and the incorporation of 3D mediums. Her creative journey is one to follow closely as her unique perspective continues to evolve and leave a mark on art and design.

Aarzo and Fatima

This series of artworks originates from my journey of grappling with identity insecurities, particularly related to my South Asian heritage. My goal is to use these artworks to not only address my insecurities but also to celebrate the inherent beauty of South Asian culture and provide a window for others to appreciate it. My inspiration came from witnessing the richness and diversity of cultures during my school's cultural events, where I was exposed to the beauty of my friends' traditions. These events emphasized how our backgrounds, traditions, and values shape our unique identities, leading me to realize the intrinsic beauty within our cultural roots.

In these artworks, I draw from various elements of South Asian cultures such as incorporating elements from traditional attire and design. I've chosen beads as my medium of expression because of their intricate and vibrant qualities, which allow me to capture the essence of these cultures and convey the beauty I see within them onto the canvas.