Black pencil meets white paper in a series of intimate, hand-drawn portraits of global icons—musicians, athletes, actors, scientists. Stripped to monochrome, each face becomes texture and emotion, where line and shadow replace spectacle. Fame softens into humanity, inviting viewers to pause, look closer, and rediscover the power of presence.

About the artist

An artist of Sri Lankan origin, UD Perera’s creative journey began in childhood, guided by instinct and a natural affinity for visual expression. Although they pursued a different professional path after school, art remained a constant presence in their life. Photography became their chosen profession, leading to fifteen years of work in Sri Lanka and a further five years in Australia, where they developed a solid foundation in composition, storytelling, and observation.

Alongside their photography career, they have remained actively engaged in their artistic practice. In 2004, they exhibited in Equal Art alongside three other artists, followed by exhibitions at NMIT and RMIT in Australia. Their work has also been shared through a series of ten short videos on YouTube.

During the pandemic, they extended their practice into teaching, offering free online art classes for children across Australia, Sri Lanka, and India. They continue to provide free art classes within their local community, grounded in the belief that art is a powerful tool for connection, learning, and wellbeing.