Aishath Shuaila
Aishath Shuaila is a visual artist with a background in sustainable development.
Through her use of colour, fluid brushstrokes, and mark-making, she portrays a reflection of the environment and her imaginary world. Her style is influenced by surrealism, post impressionism, and magical realism.
Shuaila’s love and fascination with nature is a prevalent theme in both her artwork and work in environmental management. She currently lives in and works from her home studio in Male’.
Shuaila, what made you fall in love with the natural world?
I have always loved it, but even more so as I got older. Nature is where I get most of my inspiration from. It puts things into perspective for me. There’s a cycle of life and seasons; nothing exists in isolation, everything is connected.
Your paintings of the Maldivian flora are so vibrant and full of life. How do you manage to bring them to life so well?
Thank you! I’m always contemplating and feeling the energy of the place I’m at — whether it’s a jungle, beach, or mangrove — there’s so much life and movement there. I like to express that using colour and gestural marks. Sketching outdoors is also really enjoyable and helps me study the subject better.
You are so good at painting screw pine trees, shells, and even figures. Do you have a particularly favorite subject matter?
I’m drawn to anything with curves, patterns, and different textures. The pattern similarities in nature and humans — like freckles and spots on our skin — are particularly interesting to me.
Which artists inspire you?
Salvador Dali, Georgia O’Keeffe, Joan Miro and Hilma af Klint are some of my favourite artists. I also really love Stromae; he’s not a visual artist, but I’m inspired by his music and authenticity.
The lush Maldives’ flora and fauna are often not accessible to most of the Maldivian population. What role do you think art can play in inspiring a love and reverence for nature?
When I create the artwork, I also end up doing a lot of research and learning a lot about the subject. Just knowing more about what roles they play in our ecosystem makes me appreciate it a lot more.
I think looking at art can pique our curiosity and give us a fresh perspective. The special thing about art is that people will have an emotional connection to it. It makes us realise what’s interesting to us and what we care about. I think having that sense of ownership and appreciation can lead to positive action.
What are your future plans?
To continue doing what I’m doing, build a sustainable art practice and grow as an artist.
Find Shauila’s artworks on Instagram @aishathshuaila.art
Writer and steward for the Earth.