About

Kanj Nicholas is a multi-disciplinary visual artist, illustrator, author, and arts educator based in Wolverhampton, UK. Her work is deeply influenced by her Sri Lankan heritage and her training in textile design in Australia, which inform her love of bold colour, texture, and pattern.

Kanj’s art draws inspiration from the natural world and the landscapes she inhabits, spanning mediums including watercolour, acrylic, oil painting, and felted textile art. Her work often explores the connections between communities and stories, weaving themes of human interaction and shared experience into her compositions.

As an experienced Arts Educator, Kanj delivers creative workshops to diverse audiences, working with community groups and organisations to inspire creativity and expression in both children and adults. Her passion for fostering imagination extends to her role as an author and illustrator. In 2024, she published Imagine If We Could Fly, a children’s book supported by Arts Council England. The book is a vibrant celebration of curiosity, encouraging young readers to think beyond boundaries, colour outside the lines, and embrace creativity fearlessly.

A woman with short curly red hair wearing a blue top and orange apron, smiling in front of colorful abstract paintings and surrounded by plants.

Kanj Nicholas’s work bridges the gap between art and community, storytelling and connection, creating a vibrant tapestry of creativity that inspires and uplifts.

Kanj’s recent projects include her involvement in the ‘Classroom as Studio’ initiative, where she mentors primary school teachers to adopt contemporary, bold, and risk-taking approaches to art-making, and envision the classroom as a creative studio. She also collaborated on Kindness Is Free – Let’s Pass It On, an art-science project commissioned by Creative Black Country in conjunction with the British Art Show 2022.

With four solo exhibitions and participation in numerous group shows, Kanj is working towards an exhibition exploring her Sri Lankan roots.

Colorful painting of a lively garden scene with people, animals, and vibrant plants, displayed on an easel surrounded by indoor plants and decorative objects.
Two women looking at colorful yarn and a brush on a table, smiling and engaging in a craft activity in a brightly lit room.
Watercolor painting supplies on a wooden table outdoors, with a garden and a wooden shed in the background.

  • “Stepping into the world of Kanj Nicholas is like opening a window to a place you’ve never been, yet somehow feel deeply connected to. With an exuberant palette and confident brushwork, Kanj transforms her canvases into living, breathing landscapes, more memories than map, more emotion than geography. What makes Kanj’s work so arresting is her instinctive use of vibrant colours, not merely for decoration, but as a storytelling device. Each hue is purposeful, capturing the essence of a scene: the golden heat of a sun-soaked afternoon, the serene calm of an ancient woodland or the imagined childhood world of her illustrations.  There is a joy and clarity in her work that invites viewers to pause, look closer, and feel the rhythm of life in a distant town or the quiet stillness of a forgotten trail. It’s this ability to transcend physical space and spark deep emotional resonance that sets Kanj apart. In every piece, you find a celebration—not just of colour, but of connection. Kanj is not only painting scenes; she is connecting places and people, through the radiant language of colour.”

    Julia Timmins, Artist

  • “At Flexus Dance Collective, we were seeking a meaningful way to introduce contemporary dance to Key Stage 2 students - and Kanj’s book Imagine If We Could Fly was the perfect springboard. Its rich themes of imagination, identity, and belonging inspired our project Sky’s the Limit, allowing young dancers to connect with literature and creativity in a powerful way. Kanj’s work opened a door for movement, discussion, and expression, and we’re so grateful for the spark it provided. Working with Kanj on Sky’s the Limit has been truly inspiring. Your book and artwork sparked such meaningful creative exploration with the young dancers, and your collaborative spirit made the process both seamless and energising. Your ability to connect with educational and artistic communities through your work is something really special.”

    Danielle Campbell. Cultural Learning & Participation Officer, Flexus Dance Collective

  • "Kanj's work radiates joy and hope, captivating all who encounter it. Drawing from her rich Sri Lankan heritage and worldly inspirations, her art is vibrant, layered with pattern and texture, and deeply reflective of her unique personality and life experiences. A gifted artist, skilled workshop leader, dedicated teacher, and collaborative team member, Kanj's passion for nurturing creativity in people of all ages is both remarkable and inspiring.”

    Holly Pleydell, Creative Consultant