Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran is a contemporary artist of Sri Lankan, Tamil heritage. His practice traverses global histories and languages of figuration, with a particular focus on South Asian traditions. He works across ceramics, bronze casting, painting, drawing and immersive installation, and is best known for his hybrid ceramic sculptures that fuse references to ancient forms with popular culture, zoology and other discourses.

Through his work, Ramesh explores secular and non-secular idolatry, co-existent belief systems, queer aesthetics, the histories of ceramics and sculpture, monumentality, self-portraiture and autobiography. His major projects have been presented at institutions and festivals including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Dhaka Art Summit, Tramway Glasgow, Sharjah Art Foundation, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and Dark Mofo.

His work is held in significant public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of New South Wales. His recognitions include a Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship, NSW Visual Arts Fellowship, Sidney Myer Fund Ceramic Award and GQ Artist of the Year. In 2022, his major monograph, RAMESH, was published internationally by Thames & Hudson.

Alongside his studio practice, Nithiyendran maintains a strong media presence across contemporary art, culture, fashion and design, and is actively involved in cultural leadership, including as a Director on the Board of Artspace, Sydney, and a Lecturer at UNSW Art & Design.