You recently concluded a residency at the Fari Art Atelier in Patina Maldives. What stood out about your time at Patina Maldives?

This is an island that I think carries a pure energy. As a human and as an artist, you just want to come back here. All the efforts they put towards creating a new way of life was something that I really connected to. I’m trying to really bring about a change in the contemporary art world, in a way that we can create art in harmony with nature.

What was your inspiration behind this new series of paintings?

This new series focuses on enhancing the connection with the Self, mind, body and soul, and bringing our energies, consciousness and life perspectives together as one – a true step towards a necessary human evolution, and a shared core value between Patina’s ideology and the philosophy behind my own creative practice.

You are known as a painter of energy, both human and environmental. How would you describe the importance of energy to your work?

Life energy is the secret behind human health. Only by feeling the energy are we able to understand the connection between our mind, body and the importance of living in harmony with nature. When I paint using only natural and sustainably sourced material from our planet, my soul feels truly alive and connected.

How can the art community strive towards a more eco-friendly future?

As beings living in a modern yet destructive world, we cannot hope to create a sustainable culture for the next generation without a shift in our approach. Without this necessary change, we continue to destabilise the planetary system we rely on as human beings. The damage to our blue home mirrors that in our societies. As a creative human being, it is my duty today to push forth via my work the understanding that humanity, nature, and progress should and can coexist together.