Olivia chats to Murugiah about his special space which he calls home with his partner Ruth. Murugiah is a British Sri Lankan multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator & designer working in London. Using a colourfully surreal visual aesthetic he playfully explores the macabre, bittersweet and joyful experience of his daily life & identity. Infused with candy coated dreams and peppered with South Asian motifs, his work - encompassing film, architecture, art & design - resonates with those also seeking kindness, authenticity & compassion.
Olivia was drawn to Murugiah's work when finding him on Instagram. Particularly loving his flower headed people amongst bizarre and captivating landscapes. Murugiah is wearing The Garden Kimono in dead-stock washed denim in Wrought Iron Grey in a size Large. He wears his kimono whilst working in his studio and around the home, the fabric is soft and supple so makes a comfortable uniform for a days work.
Check out more of Murugiah work here on his fun colour filled website.
Garden Kimonos are still on sale here.
Please give me a little description of your studio, garden and your home and your favourite thing about them?
My studio is one that I share with my Scientist partner Ruth. It's great to share a studio with another who’s work differs from my own as it gives us both a wider range of thoughts that we can then apply to our own work. I'm not sure if Ruth would say the same haha but thats how I feel.
It's a spare room in our home with computer desks and drawing boards and lots of paintings on the walls, shelves full of trinkets and books for reference. It's small but the first time I’ve had a dedicated space to make art. So I feel privileged that I can close the door at the end of the day and move around the rest of the house and worry too much about work.
The garden is very long and thin. We have three very large flower/veg planters and a bench at the end of the garden for cups of tea and a bit of tranquility. There is a large cherry blossom tree that changes with the seasons it's so beautiful but not my favourite thing. My favourite thing in the garden is all the animals and creatures that visit. We get foxes, cats we even had our neighbours dog who got stuck in our garden and could not get out. We escorted him safely to his home.
Our house is a ground floor flat within a house. It has this strange U-shaped floor plan and really skinny hallways. It's a typical London victorian terrace that has been converted in strange ways which makes things small and pokey. My favourite thing about it is that we are moving out in a year haha! No, it's been fun living here having dedicated rooms for separate activities. Our last flat was so small that we had multiple room functions interwoven with others all in a small space so this current flat was a nice upgrade. But we are looking for the perfect one next. A bit more space, none of those skinny corridors and seeing as we are moving to Crystal Palace which sits on a hill looking at London, a nice view of the city would be nice too.
What is your studio/house/garden playlist?
In the studio it's mostly film podcasts and music wise a lot of emo pop punk. I’m a child of the 90’s so that music hit at exactly the right time a few years later. I sway to all ends of the music sphere but always return to the emo pop punk of my youth.
In the garden it would be something more peaceful and tranquil for sure. Some nice film scores. Currently the new Superman Film score is it.
And in the house it's often music that Ruth and I want to share with each other. We will have little dance parties in the kitchen. Most recently an hour prior to answering these questions, we danced to the new Nine Inch Nails song from the New Tron film soundtrack.
Whats a typical day in the studio like for you?
I always start the day with the boring tasks, admin, emails and social media then that frees me up for the rest of the day to make work or got to meetings that I need to be at. At some point I try to go to the gym or get out and do a long walk around London. Once I'm back I will try and get more work done before an evening film at the cinema or at home.
What is your most favourite activity to do at home?
I really love unwinding and watching a good film with a cup of tea. We watched the Powell & Presburger film A Matter of Life and Death recently and loved it!
Favourite studio snack?
I don’t do too much snacking actually. Just try to get two solid meals in a day.
What classic dish do you make in the kitchen?
I love to make a veggie starry with some tofu. And BRINNER! Love breakfast for dinner.
What would be the dream addition to your studio?
Space!
And your garden?
Ooh a lovely garden studio cinema room... with a gym. That would be fun!
And finally the dream addition to your house?
The next one.
