Jay Rajakariyar

Born in Sri Lanka during its civil war, Jay Rajakariyar  and his family fled to London on his first birthday. Art runs in his blood; his grandfather was an oil painter who captured rural Sri Lankan life and biblical scenes, a talent passed down through generations. As a child, he naturally gravitated towards sculpting and drawing, but life took him down a different path. He pursued a degree in actuarial science, served in the military reserves, and spent years in banking while boxing competitively, all the while neglecting his artistic gifts.

Everything changed during the UK’s first COVID lockdown when he reignited his passion for painting. Armed with a set of oil paints, he began exploring a new medium and soon found success selling and commissioning work. With a longing for a more vibrant, tropical setting, he made a bold move; leaving the security of his career to relocate to Malta as both an artist and a freelance boxing coach. Inspired by his new surroundings, he works primarily in oils and watercolors, capturing architecture, nature, and people in a way that tells deeper stories of culture, history, and experience.

Now based in Malta, he continues to evolve his practice, blending traditional techniques with personal narratives. His home studio is filled with unfinished canvases, while his travel journal is a testament to his love for sketching architectural details in watercolor, ink, and gouache. For him, art is more than just a visual medium; it is storytelling, a way to document life’s journeys and the inspirations that shape it.