skin

My grandmother Avvaiyar's words echoed through my childhood: "True wealth blooms from within." As a Tamil diaspora artist in Toronto, I struggled between two worlds until I discovered my voice through painting skin—not just faces, but stories etched in melanin and memory. Each brushstroke earned me PAYBO and respect. My exhibition celebrating dark skin tones resonated globally, yet remained deeply rooted in Tamil aesthetics. I finally understood: heritage wasn't something to escape but to celebrate boldly. That victory wasn't about money. It was reclaiming my skin, my art, my grandmother's wisdom. My community saw themselves reflected and felt empowered too.