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Meet: Mathushaa Sagthidas

An elderly Sri Lankan woman wearing a sari in different tones of green. Different materials make-up the background and there's plants on either side
  • Written byEleanor Harvey
  • Published date 23 May 2024
An elderly Sri Lankan woman wearing a sari in different tones of green. Different materials make-up the background and there's plants on either side
ASKARI: An ode to my grandma | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas

Mathushaa Sagthidas is a London based photographer/director and set designer whose work captures culture and community. She graduated from BA Fine Art: Photography at Camberwell College of Arts in 2021.

Recently named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024: Art & Culture list, Mathushaa’s work often examines her identity – Tamil Eelam ethnicity and British nationality, reflected through traditions, history and culture.

She recently spoke to us about what first drew her to photography and her work as an artistic director.

Photo of Mathushaa. She's sitting, leaning with her elbow on her knee looking directly into the camera.
Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas

You graduated from Camberwell in 2021. What did you enjoy about studying BA Fine Art: Photography? 

In my final year, when I took the time to build a project revolving around my Tamil identity and experience, it was something that I built with my mum. Through this project I was able to dive in deep and learn so much about my culture and heritage by comparing my experiences with my mother’s experiences, especially growing up in Jaffna. This was such a personal project that I got to build in such a memorable, sentimental and educational way; to see this project exhibited in the Camberwell Space Gallery was quite special.

What was a highlight of your experience of studying at Camberwell?

I’d say one of the highlights is the connections that I've made through studying at UAL. Some people I've met have become my closest friends as well as meeting people that I’ve been able to collaborate with who’ve also gone to UAL; it's always great to have this shared experience and connection.

Close-up photo taken from below. The person has their hair tied back and is wearing a neon pink, high-necked top; a multi-row diamanté necklace and sunglasses on their head. Their hand is resting under their chin and they're looking directly into the camera
ADIDAS x GUAP: Rebel to Revolutionise | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas
An elderly Sri Lankan woman wearing a sari in different tones of green. Different materials make-up the background and there's plants on either side
ASKARI: An ode to my grandma | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas

What drew you to photography?

I was drawn to photography after completing my foundation course, where I learnt a great deal about fashion photography. A strong reason why I chose to study photography at Camberwell was the room and space that I would have to really explore different avenues and styles of photography. I was able to experiment and really expand my skill set. For example, during my degree I had the opportunity to create, design and build props, something that I feel I wouldn't have been able to do on a more specific photography degree.

In your 2023 exhibition “Not Just Brown, Not Just Indian” you explored South Asian identities, as well as your own identity as a British and Tamil Ealem creative. Does your identity inspire you in your work, and if so, how?

I would 100% say that my identity as a British and Tamil Ealem creative and woman is a massive inspiration for quite a few significant projects that I've built, during my time at Camberwell as well as since.

Creating projects that surround my identity isn’t something that I've created with too much intention. By this I mean that it's been very in the moment and stems from me wanting to explore more regarding my identity and understanding the history. That is something that I really built upon during my degree, and have grown naturally from there in the projects that I've created since. It’s been second nature.

Three young women standing on a residential street.
Promotional photo for Fifth Word Theatre’s Liberation Squares | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas
Eight people posing in a studio. The floor is covered in sand and there are different objects dotted around.
Templo x A100 campaign | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas

You’re also an art director, and have worked with some big clients, including Tom Ford, Amazon and Adidas.  Has there been a particular highlight for you?

One of my biggest highlights was doing a set design job for Cartier in collaboration with Conde Nast Traveler and Charithra Chandran. It was an incredible experience as Charithra is a Tamil Indian actress. To create something that really revolves around our identity, exploring what it means to be Tamil and celebrate Diwali was something that I never expected to do, especially for a commercial client.

Congratulations on being recently named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024: Art & Culture list. What was that like?

Getting told that I was on the list for this year, something that happened just over a month ago, is still quite an unbelievable and indescribable feeling. I'm super grateful for the support that I've received and to reach this position where I've been recognised for the work that I've been creating and the projects that I've been a part of. Let's just say I'm still in shock.

Portrait photo of 2 vases with sunflowers in. There's perspex boxes with different objects in; a crab, a ball and a shell.
Templo x A100 campaign | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas
4 models in a studio; 2 standing and 2 crouching. They've all got graphic, neon green eye shadow on.
Untagged 2024 | Photograph: Mathushaa Sagthidas

Lastly, what are you currently working on?

Currently I'm working on a couple of projects that I'm not allowed to speak about just yet! I’m also building more personal work with some amazing creatives.

Connect with Mathushaa:

Find out more about studying at Camberwell:

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