Shihana, a talented artist has been gaining attention for her portrayal of 'Giraavaru people' at the ongoing 'Unveiling Visions 2024' art exhibition. This is a translation of a feature by Hafeeza Ahmed of Mihaaru News.
A women in a dress, its neckline adorned with delicate patterns and a 'bandiya' [metal water pot] carried on her hip. With the bun tied to the left of her head, the allure of this woman is portrayed through the highly intricate medium thread and needle. Behind this allure, is the story of the 'Giraavaru people', a group of natives who had picked up peculiar habits, isolated from the rest of the country.
This island of Giraavaru is located in northern Male' atoll. The name of the island is said to have been coined from the term 'Giraa' meaning 'Eroding'.
This thread and needle artwork, displayed at the ongoing art exhibition 'Unveiling Vision 2024' at the National Art Gallery of Maldives is one of the most revered artworks that has enthralled countless visitors.
The artist, Aminath Shihana Aboobakuru, better known as 'abudymaldives' on Instagram had wished to portray the beauty of Giraavaru people through her fine art. She spent 100 hours perfecting the artwork now displayed for all to see.
The dedicated artist had researched and collected information on the Giraavaru people before beginning this piece, which would take her three months to complete.
Shihana explained that the people of Giraavaru were a distinct and isolated group of people. The habits and lifestyle of these people, who were relocated to Hulhule' then the capital, Male' City was different from the average Maldivian, by a thousandfold.
They had claimed their own style of fashion, owning a distinct style of wearing the Dhivehi Libaas which remains the traditional clothing of Maldivian females across the nation.
'This artwork is that beauty of Giraavaru women and their lifestyle," said Shihana.
Shihana began creating artwork with thread and needle in 2019, with an art piece she curated for the 'Fannu Expo' held that year. She had rendered a depiction of Shaheed Hussain Adam, a soldier who was martyred while defending the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) headquarters from a coup d'état attempt in 1988 during her first time dabbling with this curious medium.
Maldivian women typically tie their hair buns to the right when adorning themselves with the Dhivehi Libaas. However, Giraavaru women tie their buns to the left and while the Dhivehi Libaas displays delicate hand-woven necklines of gold and red, the Giraavaru women weave their necklines with common white fabric - a feature inherently evident in Shihana's artwork.
Shihana's work has been featured in previous editions of 'Unveiling Visions' as well. Each year, her work had showcased unique remnants of history, woven using colorful threads.
With her delicate weaving skills, Shihana had also portrayed her mother in the artwork she presented at the art exhibition held for Women's Day this year. Last year, she had depicted a scene of Syrian children trapped under rubble after the large earthquake that struck western Syria.
Shihana also offers training workshops, inspiring others to dabble with this unique medium of threads and needle, with her most recent workshop held in Fuvahmulah City observing fifteen participants.
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