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Ibrahim Ali: moulding creative youngsters in Maldives and abroad through art

Published

8 years ago

September 14, 2017

This might come as a surprise to those of us like me who have little to no artistic skills, but everybody is an artist! That’s at least what one self-taught Maldivian artist thinks. And he has set out to prove that through his own style of art and art classes.

Ibrahim Ali started exploring his talent at a very young age, painting and creating art pieces. While going to high school in capital Male, he discovered a small art shop right in front of his school. Luckily, he got a part-time job at the shop run by a local art graduate. That gave him access to a wider range of materials and more opportunities to further explore his skills.

But right after he graduated from high school, the art shop closed and Ali had to find a job. Finding work in the field of arts was almost impossible in the Maldives where art was still not appreciated. So, like most fresh school graduates still looking to build a career, he took up a job at the Bank of Maldives’ (BML) branch at the main airport.

Ali chats with a guest during his art exhibition at LUX* South Ari Atoll. PHOTO/ LUX*

For Ali, the five years that he spent doing the boring desk job at the bank branch became the stepping stone to finding his inner calling. At the airport, he was introduced to “a family” of airport representatives from the resorts across the Maldives. Together they enjoyed coffees, cigarettes and chit chats. Soon enough, he was drawn to the hospitality industry, and started looking for a job in a resort. That search yielded in a job at the finance department of One&Only Reethi Rah resort.

“While working at the resort, I got the chance to make decorations for different occasions like Easter, Christmas and Halloween. During these chances, the resort discovered my talent and I got the chance to move to the Art Studio where I created art pieces and conducted art lessons for the guests,” Ali tells me, during a chat at LUX* South Ari Atoll resort.

“This is where everything started shining in my career. There I realised that this has always been the dream that I wanted to pursue.”

Ali conducts an art class in Japan.

When Ali joined the art studio at Reethi Rah, he was still a newbie. Pottery was a big part of the art classes offered by the studio, but he knew nothing about it. He learned a bit about the art of pottery from the resident artist and self-taught it through trial and error. But to make things worse, the resort’s resident artist Lilia left soon after, leaving the art studio at one of the most luxurious resorts in the country solely in his hands.

“I was scared because our clientele was the ultra-rich. So there was no chance for any obvious mistakes, but I was still a beginner. Lucky for me, I was able to learn pottery on my own and conduct classes. My new manager Haneef was also very helpful. And through that, I created amazing bonds with kids from around the globe which made them come to the property just to take my classes,” Ali recalls.

Those bonds remain strong to this day, as guests who had attended his art classes at Reethi Rah still visit him in Japan, where he lives with his wife and son since December 2014.

In his wife’s native Japan, Ali has discovered more opportunities to grow as an artist. After spending his initial months in Japan without a job because of language barriers and his lack of a college degree, he landed a job as an English teacher at a newly opened language school for children. With Ali as the primary teacher, the school started with just one student in January 2015, and in a year expanded to accommodate 20 students.

At first it started as a regular English language class, but Ali was a born-artist and he knew he had to quench his thirst to instil his knowledge in arts into the young minds that came to him for guidance. So he introduced an art class at the school for the first time during the summer break. It was well-received by the parents and kids alike, as it combined art with language. Now he teaches English at several schools in Japan using the concept of art, enabling children to learn language through real situations and by creating a piece of art together. Community centres in different parts of Japan are also benefiting from his knowledge.

“I couldn’t have come this far without the help and support of my family in Japan and in the Maldives, especially my wife and son. Living in Japan is difficult and she works full-time to support the family, acting as the leader of the family in order to let me do what I love to do,” Ali says.

Ali conducts an art class at a community centre in Japan.

For his next move, Ali is looking to conduct visiting artist programmes at resorts in the Maldives.

“I would like to continue sharing my knowledge skills and creating those memories to a lot of people,” he says.

His first stop was the LUX* South Ari Atoll in mid-August. On a personal invitation of Hussain Afeef, Regional Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance at LUX* South Ari Atoll, Ali conducted sessions for interested guests, where they learned about several forms of arts and crafts, including coconut art, marble art, shrinking paper art and accessory making. Guests who signed up for the four days of classes learned to make creative accessories and vibrant artworks from everyday materials found in the Maldives such as coconuts and shells.

Ali during a class at LUX* South Ari Atoll.

At the fresh setting of the chic beach resort, Ali also held an exhibition of his own art series, called Turquoise. The series presents the natural beauty of the Maldives, especially its turquoise blue waters, through his imagination.

“My artworks are driven by ideas about creating art using everyday materials like a fallen coconut, which people would throw away. I make sure they have a fun experience, and create a memorable painting or an art piece which they would hang back in their homes to always remember to come back to the beautiful place at LUX* South Ari Atoll,” Ali describes his first visiting artist programme.

Ali’s paintings on display at LUX* South Ari Atoll. PHOTO/ LUX*

For now, Ali is back in Japan, moulding young students with his unique blend of language and arts. He also has grand plans for next year, including more visiting artist programmes at LUX* South Ari Atoll and other popular resorts in the Maldives, and to represent his home country at Setouchi Triennale, one of the biggest art festivals in Japan.

But as he improves his own artistic skills and discovers more techniques of art and creativity everyday, he is determined to share his knowledge and experience with his countrymen and those that come to the beautiful islands of the Maldives for a glimpse of paradise.

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ELE|NA and VOYA unite for ocean-inspired wellness at THE OZEN COLLECTION

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2025

m@ldives

In celebration of World Ocean Day, ELE|NA Elements of Nature has announced an exclusive partnership with VOYA, the globally renowned organic seaweed skincare brand. Launching in July, this collaboration introduces a new era of ocean-inspired wellness at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. Guests will experience a deeply immersive and personalised spa journey, rooted in the healing power of the sea.

The new spa menu is crafted around three core wellness pillars—REST, ZEST, and BALANCE—each designed to meet individual needs, from deep relaxation and stress relief to energy rejuvenation and emotional renewal.

Each guest begins their spa experience with a personalised consultation to align treatments with their wellness goals. The journey starts with a calming aromatic foot ritual and a mindful breathing ceremony, establishing a foundation for a meaningful and restorative session.

The spa menu features marine-inspired massages, facials, and body therapies that incorporate VOYA’s certified organic, seaweed-based ingredients, sustainably harvested from the Atlantic coast. Key offerings include:

Massage Therapies: Deep Muscle Melter, Tranquil Touch, and the signature VOYAGER Massage Journey
Marine Facials: Pro-Age, Skin Renewal, and Bespoke Touch Facials
Marine Exfoliations & Wraps: Detoxifying body buffs, nourishing sugar polishes, and sun-soothing wraps
Sleeping Rituals: Mindful Dreams Massage and Herbal Cocoon Wrap with singing bowls

ELE|NA extends the wellness experience beyond the treatment room through group sessions such as guided meditations, sea and sound therapies, and aroma-intent practices. Guests can also enjoy bespoke VOYA bathing rituals in-spa or in-villa, including Detoxifying Seaweed Baths and Warm Spiced Mud Baths.

Guests are encouraged to continue their wellness journeys at home with a curated retail collection of VOYA products, including body oils, essential oils, pulse point oils, and aromatic room scents—each inspired by the tranquility and vitality of the ocean.

With a shared commitment to sustainability, ELE|NA and VOYA honour the ocean through ethical sourcing and eco-conscious practices. This partnership goes beyond providing luxurious spa experiences—it pays tribute to the sea’s natural rhythms and healing energy.

As part of the World Ocean Day celebration, ELE|NA invites guests to reconnect with nature and their inner selves. The transformative power of the ocean is available starting this July at THE OZEN COLLECTION.

Featured

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts introduces curated all-inclusive getaways in Maldives

Published

6 days ago

June 4, 2025

m@ldives

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is redefining stress-free travel with a trio of curated, all-inclusive offers across its Maldives properties. Each resort—Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives—presents a unique experience, ranging from surfside excitement to secluded luxury, with every aspect of the stay carefully bundled for a seamless holiday.

At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, guests are invited to enjoy five nights of barefoot luxury, with packages starting at USD 3,499 nett for double occupancy in a Water Bungalow or USD 3,999 nett in an Over Water Suite. Tailored for travellers seeking a balance of adventure and relaxation, the offer includes:

Return speed boat transfers
A 4-course beach dinner featuring steak or seafood
A 30-minute spa treatment
Snorkelling and swimming experiences
A local island visit
Unlimited laundry services
Premium All-Inclusive privileges

For those in search of tranquillity, the adults-only Platinum Wing at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives offers a refined escape. With a minimum stay of seven nights in a Platinum Water Bungalow, the package is available at USD 6,999 nett for double occupancy and features:

Return seaplane transfers with VIP lounge access
A 4-course steak or seafood dinner by the beach
A 45-minute spa treatment
An island-hopping adventure
A welcome bottle of wine, fruit basket, and bed decorations
Unlimited laundry services
Premium All-Inclusive privileges

At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, guests can indulge in serene overwater luxury with a seven-night stay starting from USD 6,999 nett for double occupancy in Water Bungalows and higher categories. The package highlights include:

Return seaplane transfers with VIP lounge access
Premium All-Inclusive privileges
A 4-course steak or seafood dinner by the beach
A 45-minute spa treatment
An island-hopping adventure
A dolphin-watching excursion
Unlimited laundry services

These exclusive offers are available for stays between 1 June and 31 October 2025, with bookings now open.

Whether it’s catching waves at the iconic Pasta Point at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, enjoying a sunset over the tranquil lagoon at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, or exploring the pristine waters surrounding Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, each resort promises a distinct and immersive experience. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts delivers three unforgettable all-inclusive escapes, designed for effortless relaxation with every detail expertly managed.

Featured

Travel that matters: indulge in sustainability at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Published

6 days ago

June 4, 2025

m@ldives

With World Environment Day (5 June) and World Oceans Day (8 June) approaching, and Sir David Attenborough’s highly anticipated film Ocean igniting renewed interest in marine conservation, more travellers are seeking meaningful ways to turn environmental concern into impactful action.

Coco Collection, a leading luxury resort brand in the Maldives, demonstrates that responsible travel and indulgent island experiences can coexist harmoniously. At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, located in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, guests are offered the opportunity to actively engage in ocean conservation efforts while enjoying a tranquil tropical retreat.

Far more than a scenic escape, the resort serves as a centre for daily, impactful sustainability work. Conservation initiatives at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu include:

Coral restoration projects, led by the in-house marine biologist to regenerate local reef ecosystems.
Sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation, hosted at the Maldives’ first veterinary-run turtle rescue centre in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project. Visitors can tour the centre, observe turtle feedings, and register in advance to volunteer.
Turtle hatching monitoring, involving the observation of protected nests to ensure hatchlings can be safely guided back to the ocean.
Guided snorkelling and diving excursions in the Baa Atoll’s thriving marine ecosystem, which is home to tropical fish, vibrant coral gardens, and sea turtles.

Following World Turtle Day on 23 May, the resort also commemorates the beginning of turtle hatching season. Weekly marine talks and immersive conservation activities allow guests to deepen their understanding and connection to the ocean.

In 2024, the Olive Ridley Project’s Maldives Research team reported 168 new turtle nests, over 5,264 successful hatchings, and nearly 3,500 turtle sightings. Since 2013, the project has surpassed 40,000 recorded sea turtle encounters, with Coco Collection associates logging the highest number of turtle encounters in the Maldives.

In addition to marine conservation, the resort offers a broad range of water sports — including water skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking — along with cultural experiences through its Coco Experiences programme.

Recognised among the top resorts in the Indian Ocean by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is celebrated for its authentic Maldivian heritage, breathtaking natural surroundings, and steadfast commitment to sustainability.

Whether visitors are nature enthusiasts, aspiring conservationists, or simply seeking a purposeful and mindful retreat, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu provides a rare opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough and contribute to lasting environmental stewardship.

As sustainability-focused holidays approach, the resort is preparing a range of experiences for both guests and staff. Planned activities include tree planting, Saifodhu (a traditional Maldivian high tea accompanied by a display of homemade goods), a sustainable dining experience, and a sustainability presentation led by the resort’s Marine Educator and the ORP team in celebration of World Environment Day. For World Oceans Day, the island is also set to host various sustainability-driven events and experiences.