New artist takes over MEAC

Her art uses old pizza boxes, broken coffee mugs, cardboard and even chocolate wrappers.

Dr Ekanayake started making art during the COVID-19 lockdowns, getting in touch with her creative side.

“In 2019, when we faced the big COVID-19, we were in a dark, really unpleasant place without knowing what’s in the future,” she said.

“So the days went by, and then I realised that everything was very dark and doom, and there was a way that I needed to change my thinking to a better mind.”

Dr Ekanayake is a GP specialising in women’s and mental health. A Mooroopna local, she has been working in the area for the past 17 years. She is known to give her art to people for free, especially to her patients.

MEAC’s Jan Phillips approached her to host her art in the space, but Dr Ekanayake initially decided against it.

“My main aim at the time was to give an art piece to a patient to keep that person happy. And people started embracing no matter what I do, they embrace it quite happily,” Dr Ekanayake said.

“And then Jan approached me and asked if I was happy to do (the exhibition), and they were happy because I’m a local, I live in Mooroopna, and I’ve worked in Mooroopna before, and this is my community. If I can do something for my community, it’s a positive thing.”

Earlier this year, Dr Ekanayake was announced as the winner of the Shepparton Festival’s Call to Create 2024 competition, which means she will work with the festival to design the promotional content for the 2024 festival.

Dr Ekanayake’s artwork is on display at MEAC, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm.