MURU

2026

Paper and padded textile on wire and wood

“My character MURU has a mask on because he doesn’t know what’s underneath yet.”

Illustrator MURUGIAH creates characters. They appear across his work in different mediums, often wearing masks. MURUGIAH’s namesake, MURU, wears his interpretation of a Sri Lankan Raksha mask.

Raksha masks are worn as part of performances for protection and satirical commentary. In MURUGIAH’s work, the mask represents his exploration of his Sri Lankan heritage and experience growing up in a mostly White Welsh community. Through MURU he asks, what are the parts of himself that are expected, shown and concealed? “It’s about figuring out who I am,” he says.