While addressing the significant and complex histories of Sri Lanka and their own upbringing here in Aotearoa, Helaratne delves into the politics of sex and identity, presenting speculative meditations of past, present, and future worlds. Drawing upon their culinary background, Helaratne combines gastronomic and painting techniques to create luscious and surprising textures and perspectives in an ongoing exploration of social customs, hospitality, multiculturalism, sensory language, and storytelling.
Helaratne's practice extends to creating connections through community, performance, and collective experience. Based in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara, they graduated with a BFA from the College of Art and Design at the University of New South Wales, Australia (2018) and has recently exhibited at Laree Payne Gallery, Kirikiriroa/Hamilton (2023), play_station gallery, Pōneke/Wellington (2021) and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia (2019) and UNSW Galleries, Australia (2019).