Sri Lankan born, raised in Sri Lanka & Zambia, now living in Melbourne, Australia.
I’m Dilrukshi Mendis. I’m a fine- art painter weaving my heritage, symbolism & slow ritual layering into canvases and a whimsical illustrator unleashing absurd flights of fancy. This duality creates work that invites you to pause, feel and connect.
Exhibition History
– Visions of Humanity (with 2 other artists) –Space2B, St Kilda (2024) – Opening Show & Becoming – Page One Gallery (Jan & May 2025)
– Linden Post Card Show- Linden Gallery (2023 & 2024)
– Small Works Art Show – Brunswick Street Gallery (2024) – Melbourne Flower and Garden Show (2023,2024 &2025)
My Journey and Ethos
Ayubowan
In my culture, this greeting means “May you have the gift of long life.” It’s a wish — and a story — wrapped in a single word.
My creative journey has woven through two worlds: the structure and logic of banking & finance, and the instinctive, emotional sphere of art.
In my twenties, I stepped away from painting seriously — uncertain about whether art could be a “real” life choice. I pursued a successful corporate career across two continents, became a Chartered Accountant, CPA and a Banker. I’ve drawn and created all my life and in time I accepted and embraced the creative, imaginative and intuitive self that in many ways made my corporate career both possible and successful.
For a long time, I felt a disconnect with the art around as I couldn’t connect or feel it held space for me. Art can cross cultural divides and the idea of art being a vessel to create a sense of belonging is the driving force behind my two distinct yet deeply connected creative worlds – fine art and whimsical illustration.
Through my fine art practice I paint slowly, using imagination, intention and ritual to create work inspired by my heritage and lived experience that spark connection with and hold space for viewers. A Sri Lankan Australian narrative Artists, every element, symbol and colour choice has purpose. It invites introspection, reflection and learning as one spends time with it. It’s an intuitive and intense process and work is done when it feels coherent to me. Currently I’m working on a series Apekshava (Hope) to be followed by Upekha (serenity). It is from a place of hope that we begin the path to serenity.
Under my playful alter-ego, Pawlick Bones, imagination, whimsy and absurdity collide. Here, I illustrate detective dogs, curious cats, anthropomorphic sea creatures and magical scenes in prints, cards, tea towels, and printed gifts — art made to sprinkle joy and laughter into everyday life.
Be it bold or subtle, pedestrian or surreal, everything I create carries an invitation:
Ayubowan