Shayna Fonseka (b. 1994, London) is currently studying an MFA at the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University and received a BFA from the Slade School of Art in 2017 and a foundation diploma from Central Saint Martins. Her work examines urban spaces as sites of transcendence, exploring how sensory and spatial experiences ground a sense of being amid growing instability. Fonseka was recently awarded the Erna Plachte Award 2024 and shortlisted for the Oxford Review of Books Art Award. Select exhibitions include: Questions on Drawing, Exvoto Gallery, London, 2025; Liquid Light, Dolphin Gallery, 2025; Carry on baggage, Galeria Augustine, Lisbon, 2023; Can’t take my eyes off you, indigo + madder, London, 2022; A Generous Space, Hastings Contemporary, 2021-2022, amongst others.

Artist Statement: “My work explores urban spaces that access a transcendent and innate sense of being. Drawing inspiration from experiences within these spaces grounds me, amid an escalating sense of instability. One aspect of my exploration centres on the ‘placeless’ space a rave occupies. The hyper-stimulation of sound, visual minimalism, linguistic shifts and altered temporal perception collectively tap into something fundamental and authentic about being human - a scarce experience in a synthetic city. As part of my creative process, I photograph city walks with no expectation of arrival. Those who meander, whether on foot or through the mind, allow themselves to discover the unexpected. Through this serendipitous exploration, I collect connections with objects found unintentionally, intending to evoke a sense of transcendence. In a time marked by growing disconnection, I navigate how to restore our sense of being within an urban environment, identifying spaces that nurture these connections.”

Nationality: UK

Schools: Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University, Oxford, UK