Marigpa

Marigpa | Heal the World | 2025

Your works radiate with metallic hues like gold and copper. What draws you to these materials and tones?

I’m truly fascinated by metallic colours – gold, silver, and copper. They are a hallmark of my work. Historically, they’ve always been linked with opulence and wealth, but for me, they deeply resonate with feelings of luxury, warmth, and hope.There’s a sense of life in them; they shimmer and shift with the light, almost as if they respond to me as I paint. These pigments also offer a tangible connection to the earth itself. As they come from its mineral resources, they carry such a rich history and reflect our long-standing relationship with these precious materials. It’s powerful to think how these elements, born from the earth, then seem to capture the light and energy of the cosmos, beautifully highlighting the interconnectedness of everything.

Can you share a specific travel experience that profoundly influenced one of your artworks?

My extensive travels profoundly shape my artistic language. Connecting with people from different cultures, learning their traditions, and hearing their stories is incredibly important to me – it all becomes a part of who I am. While I can’t single out just one place as a favourite, a solo journey I took to Bhutan years ago was a truly awakening experience. The sheer beauty and purity there were breathtaking. The requirement for a driver and guide actually led to unexpected, meaningful conversations. I was deeply inspired by the contentment, strong faith, and the profound love and respect the Bhutanese people have for their country and monarchy. These experiences, though sometimes hard to pinpoint individually, are woven into the fabric of my work.

Marigpa | Sakura / Cherry Blossoms | 2024

What role does spirituality play in your creative process?

Spirituality isn’t something separate or untouchable in my art; it’s fundamental because I believe we are all spiritual beings here to experience. We are, inherently, enlightened beings, but perhaps we’ve forgotten this truth through the ‘matrix games’ of life. The metallic hues I use aren’t just for visual effect; they symbolise spiritual enlightenment for me. I find deep inspiration for my spiritual and symbolic language in expressions of faith across various cultures – Mayan Totems, Byzantine icon painting, Thangkha paintings, and Native American Totems all resonate strongly with me because they convey such a powerful connection to the divine and the natural world. I believe spiritual enlightenment is about expanding our consciousness and understanding. For me, art serves as a powerful pathway for self-discovery and spiritual growth, offering a space for introspection. My work is an exploration of my own inner world, and I hope it encourages viewers to connect with their own spirituality and a sense of something larger than themselves. My connection with The Oneness Gallery also speaks to this feeling that, fundamentally, we are all one.

Your pieces seem to balance opulence and tranquility. How do you approach that contrast in your art?

For me, opulence and tranquility aren’t really a contrast. I truly believe that tranquility isopulence – it is the ultimate luxury. Real opulence comes from experiencing inner peace. Without that sense of calm within, even great wealth doesn’t feel truly opulent. Tranquility gives you a feeling of having more than enough, allowing you to fully appreciate and embrace what you have. This is the sense of opulence I aim to capture in my work, where the richness of the metallic tones coexists with an aura of peace.

Marigpa | Embracing The Love Within | 2024

Do you follow a particular routine or ritual when starting a new painting?

My creative process isn’t driven by a strict routine or ritual. It’s much more intuitive. It begins with a profound feeling, an emotion, or a connection to a specific moment or experience. My art comes directly from my heart and feelings. I find that not being tied to a pre-set theme or a rigid structure allows me the freedom to create in a way that feels authentic and limitless.

How does light influence your choice of colors and composition?

Light is incredibly dynamic in my work, especially because I use metallic colours. They are so reactive to light; they shimmer and shift, which really brings the painting to life and changes how it looks depending on how the light hits it. I’ve even had moments where I needed to wear sunglasses while painting in natural light because of how intensely the metallics reflect! The way light interacts with the pigments is a key part of creating the atmosphere I want – one that encourages contemplation and reflection.

Marigpa | Compassion | 2024

Are there specific cultures or places that inspire your visual language most strongly?

My visual language is certainly shaped by my experiences of different cultures and places around the world. I deeply value the opportunity to connect with people, learn their traditions, and hear their stories – it all feeds my work. While many places inspire me, Bhutan was particularly significant for its beauty and the spirit of its people. I also find London, where I live, to be incredibly inspiring because of its vibrancy and the amazing mix of cultures you encounter every day. Beyond specific locations, my works are deeply inspired by historical art forms that have a strong spiritual or symbolic language, like ancient Egyptian art, Persian miniatures, Byzantine icons, and various forms of indigenous art.  I see us all as global citizens, and travel simply opens my eyes to different artistic traditions and ways of seeing the world.