Pioneers: Suren Seneviratne

What does your work involve? 

I’m a musician, DJ and fashion model. I’ve worked in these respective fields for over a decade, performing and presenting works across Europe frequently. I also have a strong interest in journalism and photography, which I hope to pursue further in the coming months.

What inspires you? 

I’ve always been very drawn to music and it’s been a big part of my life ever since discovering pirate radio when I was at school in south London. This led me to learn how to DJ and subsequently to produce my own music, and allowed me to forge a career in the music industry, where I’ve now worked in various capacities for over a decade.

Part of my inspiration has, strangely, been the lack of South Asian visibility in the professional spaces I’ve inhabited for so long. Brown people have generally been a minority in the arts, but the tide has finally changed and the collective force of our talents is finally being championed like never before.

What message would you give to the next generation? 

Don’t let anything get in the way of doing what you love. Life’s too short otherwise!