ABOUT OUR ARTISTS
Wimansa Jayasekara
About the artist
Wimansa is a Sri Lankan civil engineer and environmental artist based in New Zealand. She has had a lifelong passion for painting, which she began at the age of three in a family of artists. She has won international awards and conducted art workshops for children in Sri Lanka. Working primarily with mixed media.
Wimansa creates vibrant and meaningful pieces that reflect her commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. In her profession, she applies sustainable practices and circular economy principles to create positive change in society. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Sustainable Practices in New Zealand, she combines her expertise in engineering and environmental sustainability with her art.
Through her work, Wimansa hopes to inspire people, engage communities, and encourage sustainable behaviours, often exploring themes of social, environmental, and economic responsibility.
See more from Wimansa
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
The Living Ocean
This artwork draws viewers into the vibrant life of the sea, where corals, a jellyfish, and a ray coexist.
Rays hold cultural importance as mana-enhancing creatures; their smooth, gliding movement and ability to navigate both shallow and deep waters symbolise agility, adaptability, and the connection between human, spiritual, and natural worlds. Through flowing lines and shades of blue, the mural reflects the movement, depth, and interconnectedness of marine ecosystems, which are home to phytoplankton and coral-algae communities that produce roughly 50–80% of the Earth’s oxygen, making the sea the largest oxygen producer in the world.
I hope this artwork reminds people that the ocean is essential for life, illustrating why protecting these ecosystems is crucial to sustaining biodiversity, maintaining climate balance, and safeguarding the health of our planet.
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Voices of Nature
This artwork celebrates the beauty and balance of Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural environment. Featuring native birds such as the pīwakawaka/fantail and the tūi surrounded by vibrant local flowers, it reflects the harmony and richness of the land. The use of vivid colours symbolises the energy and diversity of nature, reminding viewers of its fragile beauty.
Through this piece, I aim to show the key role native species play in protecting biodiversity and sustaining natural ecosystems. I hope to inspire people to respect nature, cherish its gifts, and take care for the natural resources that sustain all life.
