Oil · Charcoal · Watercolour — Toronto

MalikaSharma

“I have to create, to paint, to see the space between I and myself.”

— Malika
Enter the Gallery
Malika Sharma holding her self-portrait Reflection in front of her face, standing among her paintings.
The artist, photographed among her works

The Collections

Eleven paintings, gathered into three collections. Some wear golden halos, some hold flowers past their bloom, and one paints the water as if it were laughing. Each hangs with her own words beside it.

Reflection — a self-portrait before a golden halo Reunion — a dancer in a deep blue lehenga The Ship that Sailed — a tall ship on stormy moonlit water
Malika crouched with a palette of pink paint, working on her mural Wall of Roses in a school hallway.
At work on Wall of Roses, acrylic on wall, 2025

The Artist

“I am a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice bridges contemporary art and realism through traditional mediums, working primarily in oil paint while also exploring charcoal and watercolor.”

My work is driven by a fascination with the complexities of human experience, exploring the subtle relationships between thought, emotion, identity, and behavior.

Drawing inspiration from both the human mind and the natural world, I create works that invite quiet reflection. I am interested in the tensions between the visible and the unseen, the spoken and the unspoken, and the balance between chaos and harmony. Through layered symbolism, expressive colour, and carefully observed detail, I transform intangible experiences into visual narratives that encourage personal interpretation.

For me, creating is an ongoing process of discovery. Each work becomes an exploration of memory, perception, and connection, offering space for viewers to reflect on their own inner worlds and relationships with the world around them. As my practice continues to evolve, I remain committed to experimenting with material, texture, and light while creating work that is thoughtful, introspective, and emotionally resonant.

Honours

  • People’s Choice Award, Well-Being × Inclusion Week ExhibitionSamuel J. Zacks Gallery, York University · 2026
  • Gerard Sendrey PrizeSamuel J. Zacks Gallery, York University · 2025

Upcoming Collections

What is taking shape in the studio, before it reaches the wall.

The Gallery Awaits

Eleven works are hanging in the dark, waiting for the lights.