Art with Purpose: The Artists Behind Kandima Maldives' First Biodiversity Exhibition

Selected through a global open call, 19 artists turned the island into a season-long art trail exploring biodiversity, conservation and ocean ecology

19/10/2026

This summer, a stroll across Kandima Maldives doubled as a journey through the Maldives’ natural world. Unveiled on Maldives Independence Day in July and running through to its closing ceremony in September, the resort’s first Art for Biodiversity Exhibition unfolded as an island-wide art trail, bringing together the work of more than 20 Maldivian and international artists.

Backed by a grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the exhibition launched as a pilot project of Kandima’s long-running KULA Art Initiative, and invited artists from around the world to respond to a shared theme of biodiversity, conservation and ocean ecology. Chosen from submissions received through a global open call earlier in the year, the works spanned painting, digital art and installation, in styles ranging from hyper-realism to abstraction, each using creativity and storytelling to make the case for protecting one of the world’s most fragile marine environments.

Meet the Artists

Among the works that lined the trail this season:

Fathimath Aala Abdullah Salih – Dhirun, 2026, mixed media.

Sharing its name with the exhibition, Dhirun, meaning "life" in Dhivehi, depicts a woman in traditional dress whose flowing hair becomes the ocean, carrying whale sharks, turtles and manta rays within it. The piece reflects how Maldivian identity, culture and livelihoods are shaped by the sea, with the textured marine species representing the ecosystems that underpin the islands' food security, economy and traditions. In the artist's words, "our biodiversity is the life, the dhirun of our country.

Ali Rishwaan (Cartman Ayya) – Reflections of Resilience, 2026, acrylic on canvas.

This vibrant painting captures the stillness of a Maldivian mangrove, where herons gather in calm, mirror-like waters. Created as a call for environmental preservation, it highlights the vital role coastal wetlands play in supporting biodiversity and protecting island ecosystems, a reminder of the natural beauty future generations deserve to inherit.

Ahmed Shauraf – Vanishing Rays, 2026, interactive installation.

One of the exhibition's most thought-provoking pieces, Vanishing Rays begins as a thriving, suspended school of handcrafted copper-wire manta rays, each one a pendant available to buy. As pendants are acquired and removed, they leave empty hooks behind, while the remaining rays rise in price as their numbers dwindle, mirroring the market paradox where rarity drives demand. Tracked by a live conservation register, the installation turns each purchase into a visible record of loss, inviting viewers to confront how we value what we are causing to disappear.

Aminath Rifga Mohamed – Nature's Treasury, 2026, acrylic.

Centred on the head of a yellowfin tuna, the national animal and a symbol of the country's fishing heritage, the painting explores how the Maldives' biodiversity sustains both livelihoods and tourism. Whale sharks, manta rays, coral reefs, coconut palms and pink roses, the national flower, surround two figures waving "Maruhabaa", Dhivehi for welcome. Together, they make the case that nature is the country's greatest treasure, and that protecting it is essential to the nation's economy, culture and future.

Nishaza Mohamed – Thundi, 2026, 3D mixed media and resin.

This sculptural piece depicts a whale gliding beneath a flourishing shoreline, celebrating the coexistence of marine life and island environments. The deliberately shrunken strip of sandy beach visualises the real threat of coastal erosion: as beaches recede, nesting grounds and coastal plants are lost, disrupting the wider ecological chain. The work is a striking metaphor for the climate pressures facing the islands, and for the need to protect the biodiversity of both land and sea.

The full collection of artwork being displayed can be found here.

Where Art Meets Conservation Finance

Beyond its creative brief, the exhibition was designed as a test case for a new model of biodiversity finance, one that embeds local fine art directly into the tourism value chain. Its ambitions are threefold: to give Maldivian and emerging artists a high-visibility platform that connects them with international audiences and a premium market; to generate revenue for conservation, with proceeds dedicated to the Dhaalu Valla conservation area and community-led projects; and to create a model that can be replicated across the Maldives through future resort partnerships.

Part of a Wider Creative Vision

The exhibition marks the latest chapter of the KULA Art Initiative, launched alongside the resort’s opening in 2017 to connect Maldivian artists, craftspeople and aspiring talent with the tourism industry. The year-round programme is anchored by the annual KULA Art Festival and residencies at the KULA Art Studio, where guests can join painting classes and creative sessions hosted by a rotation of resident artists. A dedicated fund, financed by USD 1 from every room night booked at the resort, supports local schools and artists through equipment, internships, scholarships and further education.

While the trail has now closed, its spirit lives on at the KULA Art Studio, where every guest is invited to pick up a brush.

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