Mahen Perera began his artistic career as a painter but he wanted to do more than dabbing paint on a canvas. This lead him on a voyage of exploration resulting in discovering a process of working more physically with material. A graduate of Fine Arts from the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore, Mahen also has a Diploma in Painting and Multi Disciplinary Design. Mahen's untitled steel sculpture formed part of Project One, commissioned by Sangita Gindal and Tarini Jindal Handa to celebrate Vogue India's ninth anniversary issue. He has held several exhibitions over the years in Sri Lanka, India, London, Singapore and Vietnam. His latest exhibition "How They Forgot to Remember" will be held at the Paradise Road Galleries and will open on December 7. 

Tell us about your forthcoming exhibition. 

The upcoming show is an extension of my early works that explore and question aspects of materiality and detritus in society, this exhibition carries more focus towards the formative gesture as a space that unravels identity, time, memory and how they trace forgotten voids that negotiates between facets of absence and presence. 

How long did you spend creating exhibits? 

I usually don't work on a specific timeline, as my work evolves through a spontaneous process. 

Why did you transition from a painter to a sculptor? 

I usually go back and forth from painting to sculpture and sculpture to painting as every time I perceive the materials and methods differently. 

How would you describe the art scene in Sri Lanka currently? 

Growing slowly, needs more public awareness, art spaces and government sponsorships. 

What artistic plans do you have after this exhibition? 

Usually I don't plan as my works are best when unanticipated. 

What are your sources of inspiration? 

Found objects which leads to strange and random dialogues.