Skzin and Bones: The darker side of art and design

By Kshanika Argent

When Dr. Milinda Salpitikorala was a child he loved to draw. Now, as the 30-something year old medical professional embarks on his most ambitious visual art project, he calls it more than a favourite past time, but an alter-profession of sorts. The ‘Doc’ as he’s fondly known to close friends and associates, is best known for his rock/metal inspired designs, and is in the midst of preparing for his debut exhibition of art and tees – inspired by his love of the dark arts, paranormal and of course, heavy metal. In a brief interview with the Daily FT, Doc spoke of his influences, past and present and what he holds in store for art lovers and curious onlookers alike.  

Skzin and Bones: an exhibition of art and design will display “the best” of his work from canvas and acrylic paintings to digital artworks and simple pen and paper. It will also feature the art and ideas of Skzin designs, his T-shirt line launched earlier this year. The merger of the two is aptly named – Skzin and Bones.

Early days

His first painting was of his dog Ringo, one that he lost to the walls of a school classroom when he was 10. Since then, visual arts remained the backup plan should medicine not go well, but luck would have it that the Doc has a flair for both. He says, “My mother wanted me to take it visual arts full time while my father insisted that it be a part time thing, I guess the compromise worked out.” The upcoming exhibition he says is a family affair, with his sisters and fiancé helping to put Skzin and Bones together.

And when he’s not attending the sick, he’s usually found sketching on prescription pads, ears plugged in to some rock or heavy metal.

Inspiration

For Doc, inspiration has arrived “from all over”: sometimes it’s a melody or tune. Other times it’s a combination of thoughts, stories and visual experiences. “There’s nothing like listening to some good metal and just drawing what comes to mind. Over the younger years as he developed his artistic skills in acrylic painting and sketching, Doc’s artwork became more influenced by his favorite bands and musicians. “My favorite bands are Opeth, Rudra, Arch Enemy and Lamb of God, their music has inspired my art work greatly,” he goes on to mention other influences in the likes of Hour Giger and Athula Siriwardene. With no formal training, Doc’s been projecting his art through mediums as basic as pen/pencil on paper to acrylic on canvas and also dabbling on digital work he learnt through photoshop. He says the medium depends on the situation: at home he prefers canvas and acrylic but when he’s out its either photoshop with a graphics tablet on his laptop – or his trusty pen and prescription pad.

Skzin and Bones

His art work has been labeled intricate, intense and intoxicating; the exhibition promising to take art enthusiasts down a visual whirlpool, through the artist’s dungeon where one can meet dragons and angels. From reminiscing a medieval age that the Doc claims we no longer see in mainstream art to the paranormal and his own take on the origin of the alien figure we know today. He doesn’t wish to give too much away though and insists that the visually inclined come by the exhibition and make their own judgement on his one off pieces and continuing series. And on the big plan he says, “Honestly, I have no plan. All I want to do is create art. Nothing gives me grater satisfaction and I will continue to draw for as long as I can.”