Why the art scene has set its sights on the Maldives

When we think of art and the cities in which it thrives, London, New York, Berlin and Miami are among those that come to mind. Home to acclaimed annual events like Frieze and Art Basel for years, these locations have become known as the cultural hubs of the world, most notably when it comes to art. But what if we told you to add the Maldives to that list?

As the blueprint for luxury honeymoons, the private paradise islands, with their turquoise seas, coconut trees and immaculate white sands, have long been categorised as a destination for couples and families to relax, recharge and romance. One innovative resort, however, is taking the lead in building an art and design-focused reputation for the region. Joali Maldives is the first art-immersive resort in the Maldives.

Hitting the sweet spot where creativity and culture meet sun, sea and sand, the resort, based on Raa Atoll – one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, just a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male – has set a new trend for the future of art and the realms in which it exists through both its design, character and event calendar. Built by Turkish multidisciplinary design studio and architecture company autobahn, Joali (which translates as ‘joy’) opened in 2018, and is styled with artistic detail and sustainability at its core.

In fact, it’s clear that art features heavily across the entire resort. Each of the 73 water-villas – built with traditional Maldivian architecture – have sky-high ceilings with thatched roofs, artisan wood and a classic neutral colour palette that complements the serene surroundings, while making way for both subtle and statement art. The bed frames are made from recycled coconut shells, some bathrooms feature palm-tree inspired green marble glass windows, and each villa has a wall graced with “the pearl”, an artwork paying homage to the Indian Ocean.

Guests are flown into the sculpture-like entrance point to the resort, a wooden structured podium resembling an ocean wave that sets the tone for your stay. The Island also houses a Porky Hefer “treetop mantra ray” – an immersive sculpture placed on a tree, where, should you wish, you can climb up and enjoy a private breakfast.

In April the resort hosted its inaugural Art Week with a three-day Imagi-Nature Art Festival, curated by art consultant Tatiana Gecmen-Waldek. Known for lending her expertise to the likes of the Menart Fair in Brussels and Paris, as well as Armani, Cartier and Acne, Gecmen-Waldek tries to get people to be “experiencing art instead of seeing art” and the festival was an example of this.

The event was held across World Art Day weekend, and celebrated artists from around the world gathered on the island to showcase their bespoke commissions for Joali, each reflecting various aspects of the resort’s environment. Mexican artist Aurelie Hoegy’s fluid art piece, the Joali hammock, placed at the entrance to the hotel’s main restaurant X (also home to the breakfast buffet of dreams every morning), was inspired by natural movement and the curves of the island, while French artist Jeanne Susplugas’ virtual reality experience, Daydreaming, where you put on a headset and dive into the brain’s activity through your eye movement and various illustrations, launched as a permanent feature of the resort. As did German artist Maja Rohwetter’s multisensory augmented reality app, Contingencies, and  Portuguese artists Studio Mameluca, who collaborated with local craftsmen to make beach sculpture White Tern’s Bird’s Nest with natural resources and ocean sound customisation.

The creativity doesn’t stop there. The resort’s culinary art is another highlight, with a gastronomical installation at Joali’s resident Japanese restaurant, Saoke. Designed by restaurant architect Noriyoshi Muramatsu, a special fine dining experience curated by Le Petite Chef and inspired by the art on display is available at the resort for the next six months.

Joali’s investment in art is a reflection of a wider cultural movement in Male, in which the city’s cultural scene is flourishing, with young artists using their natural surroundings to create unique works. Local artists Hajja and Joule, who specialise in traditional embroidery and exhibited work at the resort’s festival, are a testament to this, having homed in on their craft in the last two years.

“It’s an exciting time for the art scene here. Initiatives like this art festival have allowed us to meet and collaborate with international artists and really showcase Maldivian local talent,” says Hajja. “It’s hard not to feel inspired here with all of these beautiful surroundings.”

With both an art studio and a gallery on-site, Joali is changing the way we experience the island. The Maldives are no longer just the standard for luxurious beach getaways but an artistic retreat championing local culture, all while providing delicious dining, world-class spa treatments (with private massage suites the size of a small London apartment) and the best sunrise views you’ll ever see.

Joali Maldives has villas from $3,300 (approx. £2,780) per night based on two sharing a beach villa with pool on a B&B basis; joali.com