Malki Jayakodi's (b.1995, Gampaha, Sri Lanka. Currently works and lives in Colombo) practice engages with skin as both a physical surface and a socially constructed boundary through which notions of identity, beauty, and belonging are negotiated. The series Shades of Identity critically addresses colorism and the enduring impact of colonial histories that continue to shape perceptions of skin tone in contemporary society. It examines how lighter skin is often privileged while darker tones are marginalized, revealing persistent hierarchies embedded within cultural consciousness. Focusing primarily on female subjects, including self representation, she highlights how women carry the burden of these imposed beauty standards, exposing tensions between visibility, value, and exclusion.
Her practice is rooted in painting and drawing, supported by a strong foundation in art history and graphic design. She employs figurative representation to construct intimate yet critical portraits that emphasize emotional depth and psychological presence. Through controlled composition, tonal variation, and attention to surface, her works explore the fragility and complexity of identity as it is read through skin and lived experience.
She is currently a Visiting Lecturer and Gallery Executive at Saskia Fernando Gallery. She holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Kelaniya and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the same institution. Her academic training strengthened her grounding in painting, graphic design, and art historical studies, shaping her interdisciplinary approach to practice and teaching.
Her series Shades of Identity was featured in ARTRA for its conceptual strength and execution. She has participated in socially engaged projects focusing on children’s creative education through recycled materials and was part of the Forest School Residency program organized by Colomboscope.