Bani Manohansa’s (b. 2000, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Lives & works in Maharagama) practice investigates psychological instability and emotional vulnerability, particularly among youth. In his daily work drawing portraits as illustrative characters, he encounters diverse faces and emotions, analyzing each subject’s features to capture personality and expression accurately. This professional practice allows him to observe the subtle ways mental states shape outward appearance, revealing emotional fragility often overlooked by young people today. Working in digital and graphic art, he translates these insights into abstracted self-portraits. Dense clusters of vibrant, contrasting colors surround the head, visualizing mental overload, while flat monochromatic backgrounds isolate inner turmoil from outward calm.
Through this interplay of observation, abstraction, and color, Bani foregrounds the importance of mental wellness and encourages greater awareness of the hidden emotional labor youth navigate daily.