Maarten Perera was born in 1958 in Sri Lanka. In 1962 his parents immigrated to Coventry, England and this is where the curious boy was to spend his formidable years. This catholic-buddhist child had very few worries and kept focused by his beloved Amma (the grandmother). To be different was second nature to Perera and little did he know it at the time, but being marginal was to be a big part of his artistic make-up.
In Art school Perera found little satisfaction, but learnt techniques that strengthen the foundation for his artistic inspiration. With somewhat broken perspective, he brings conceptual thoughts of marginalization to a powerful posture. Rich in story-telling and strong in colour, Perera uses mixed media and often wordage to convey his tale. The palette is lucid and free. Fundamentally, Perera demonstrates the viewpoint of an outsider fitting into society. Being a visible minority and spending much of his life assisting marginal populations, Perera believes we all have the right to see, to hear and to speak.
Currently Perera tells his tale on Gabriola Island, BC, Canada.
