When the Covid-19 pandemic began and world-wide lockdowns were announced, artist Mariam Haleem was in the United Kingdom. It was there that she started to learn how to convey her emotions through watercolours.
''I was unable to go back home to Malé which made me feel very homesick. I am someone who constantly needs a creative outlet, so I took to watercolour painting as it was something I hadn't attempted before,'' said the talented artist.
''I first started with painting fruits and vegetables that are commonly seen back at home, such as banana flowers and tomatoes. These paintings made me feel closer to home because they brought back sweet memories from my childhood.''
Her first ever solo exhibition was held at the Malé Art Gallery and was titled "Gasthakun" which translates to ''from the trees'' quite literally but also means "intentionally," depending on how one reads the word in Dhivehi. Mariam showcased her love for the fruits and vegetables that are native to her home. From February 10 to February 25, the exhibition was on display at the Malé Art Gallery.
Prior to the lockdown that made the world stand still, the world of watercolour was foreign to Mariam. But the person who helped her immerse herself in it and taught her the tips and tricks of the trade was her husband, Afzal "Afu" Shafiu, who is also an incredible artist.
According to Mariam, the secret to every painting of hers coming together is Afu. Because of Afu's critique, she is able to perfect her art and bring all the details to life.
''By the time I was properly painting, I had learned the names of many and the various information I had gathered about what I was drawing so those explanations are also written at the bottom of each of the paintings in the exhibition."
Mariam could trace her passion for creative work to her childhood, when she watched her father do his carpentry work with great skill and artistry. Later on, her husband's art inspired her to find her own creative outlet.
Watercolours were not the first medium of art Mariam experimented with. In her attempts to find a suitable creative outlet, Mariam fell in love with the process of designing and manufacturing bags. In 2012, she was determined to sew the bags herself, even though she didn't quite know how to do it then. She slowly learned the craft by watching videos on platforms such as YouTube. The success of her efforts did not go unnoticed.
In 2013, Mary displayed her work at the Consumer Fair held at the National Art Gallery in Malé. By this time, she had learned the art of drawing and designing patterns, and the collection that was showcased featured bags made from fabric that Mariam designed herself. This wowed the crowd.
Mariam, who was looking for a creative outlet to express herself, entered the world of crafts with little skill. Today, she is a celebrated designer in the Maldives who has ventured out and dipped her fingers (and multiple brushes) into the world of watercolours.
"There's no specific age to find your own creativity, expand your ideas, and learn more skills," she said. "If you are determined to learn and give yourself the time to do so, anything is attainable.''
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