Malaysian artist receives another international award
Mohana Kumara Velu received the Woman Art Award 2025 in London recently. She received the same award in Spain last year. (Mona KV pic)
PETALING JAYA : Malaysian visual artist Mohana Kumara Velu, better known as Mona KV, was recently awarded the Woman Art Award 2025 at the Women's Essence Show in London. She received the same award in Spain in 2024.
The Woman's Essence Show 2025 is an international art exhibition which took place from May 8-10 at London's ST.ART Gallery, featuring women artists from around the world. The show's mission is to break down traditional barriers and elevate the role of women in the contemporary art scene.
'It was such an honour,' Mona told FMT Lifestyle. 'The experience was incredibly special and being surrounded by talented women artists from around the world was truly inspiring,' she said, adding that the recognition meant a lot to her as the work she submitted was close to her heart.
Mona, a professional artist since 2008, has exhibited her work in galleries both locally and internationally. (Mona KV Facebook pic)
'My love for art began very early – when I was around three. It was my late grandfather who first noticed that I had this interest. I remember being fascinated by watercolours and he encouraged me by buying me the materials,' she said when asked about her earliest memory of art.
While taking bus rides with her family she would catch glimpses of the murals on the outer walls of the then Pudu Prison in Kuala Lumpur, captivating the artist in her.
'Growing up, I would spend time in places like Central Market, where I'd quietly sit and watch the artists at work, bringing life to their canvases. That silent curiosity stayed with me and became the foundation of everything I do now,' she said.
She eventually began experimenting and later took a course at the National Art Gallery under watercolourist Maamor Jantan.
Mona spent five years apprenticing under Malaysian artist Jeganathan Ramachandram before enrolling in the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) in 2010. She majored in Fine Art and graduated with distinction.
Mona's paintings revolve around the theme of women and their inner worlds. (Mona KV Facebook pic)
'My pieces are usually layered with symbolism and there's always a story beneath the surface,' she said. 'Most times, I like to leave room for the viewer to find their own meaning within it,' she said.
Many of her artworks, usually acrylic paintings, are recognisable through recurring motifs – most notably, the presence of a woman.
'I'm mostly known for my surreal, narrative artworks and they are most often centred around women and their inner worlds.
'A lot of my inspiration comes from conversations, everyday observations and the quiet moments in between. I think there's so much beauty in what's often overlooked and I love translating that into my work,' she said.
These female figures often have a South Asian identity, with visible adornments like a nose ring or bindi. Her paintings frequently blend elements of Indian culture with spiritual undertones and references to nature, such as birds, and flowers.
Over the years, Mona has exhibited at galleries across Malaysia and earned accolades for her work, the Malaysian Emerging Artist Award in 2009, for instance.
She also launched 'Soaring Colours' in 2011 – a charity art project featuring works by artists with autism and Down syndrome. The initiative received strong public support, with proceeds directed to the Kirtash Handicap Centre.
Mona is also known for incorporating South Asian cultural elements into her work. (Mona KV Facebook pic)
'For me, creating art is a form of therapy. The most fulfilling part is when a piece resonates with someone on a deeper level and when they see a part of themselves in the work or feel something they can't quite put into words. That quiet connection is everything,' she shared.
Mona has shown her work around the world – in New Delhi, Nepal, Italy, the US, and Bali, where she held her solo exhibition 'Within'.
In recently had her breakthrough on the international stage when she was selected to represent Malaysia at the 3rd Asean-India Artists Camp in Meghalaya, India.
Her artwork, titled 'Alchemy', offered a feminine twist on the camp's theme inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Currently in Venice, she hopes to one day exhibit her work there. 'I hope to see Malaysia's art scene continue to grow with more inclusive platforms that support artists from diverse backgrounds,' she said.
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