Design Hotels member hosts year-long celebration of creativity and culture
An Art and Design Year has kicked off at Finolhu Maldives, promising a blend of painting, pottery, edible art, and more. The theme is ‘A Year in Colour’. Guests will be able to admire vibrant art installations as well as participate in workshops led by artists and designers.
It’s the first time Finolhu Maldives has organised an Art and Design Year. Although a few resorts in the Maldives focus on art and design (such as Joali Maldives and Oaga Art Resort), Finolhu Maldives was the first resort in the country to obtain membership of Design Hotels back in 2020. Design Hotels is a collection of design-driven luxury hotels which are independently operated.
A spokesperson for Finolhu Maldives, which is based in Baa Atoll, said: “The programme will welcome a rotating roster of internationally acclaimed artists, designers, and creatives throughout 2026.
“Each will draw inspiration from the island’s natural beauty and Maldivian heritage to create original works and interactive moments that invite guests to engage directly with the creative process”.
Finolhu Maldives’ ‘Year in Colour’ began in January with US-based artist, Sarah Stieber, in residence. Known for her electrifying use of colour and dynamic figurative style, Sarah led painting workshops for guests of all ages and skill levels.
Sarah’s residency will be followed by Singapore-based chef and artist, Janice Wong, from February 17th to 22nd. Janice is renowned for her edible art installations, multi-sensory dessert experiences, and incredible confectionery design. She trained at the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu Paris and was recognised as ‘Asia’s Best Pastry Chef‘ by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The central theme of Janice’s residency at Finolhu Maldives is an artistic interpretation of Hanifaru Bay. The area is part of the Baa Atoll Unesco World Biosphere Reserve, and one of the best places in the world to see large aggregations of manta rays. During her residency at Finolhu, Janice will lead a series of chocolate art workshops designed for kids, teens, and families. Guests can learn to paint, mold, and sculpt with chocolate, blending colour, flavour, and texture to create edible works of art.
March 5th to 18th will see Germany-based visual artist, Anna Bochkova, bringing her flair to Finolhu Maldives. Anna’s multidisciplinary practice spans sculpture, ceramics, papier-mache, drawing, and installation.
Maldivian artist Hussain Ihfal Ahmed (Iffa) will showcase work from March 26th to April 15th that reflects the island’s unique textures and cultural heritage. Iffa is renowned in the Maldives for his innovative use of oil, watercolour and sand, as well as his signature coffee paintings. His work has been exhibited in the Maldives, Europe, Asia, and the US.
Between May and September (the most active months for manta ray sightings in the area), Finolhu Maldives’ resident artist, Md. Nakib Rahman will be joined by Sri Lankan artist, Yashika Pitigala, and emerging Maldivian artists. They are set to collaborate on projects inspired by sustainability, community, and the ocean. Yashika will bring a deeply expressive, nature-rooted perspective to Finolhu. Yashika will guide guests in exploring mindfulness and intuitive creativity, encouraging them to translate the movement of waves and shifting light into flowing works of art.
Then in October, British designer Matthew Williamson will arrive at Finolhu Maldives for an exclusive collaboration and guest workshop. Matthew’s kaleidoscopic use of colour, pattern, and print has earned him global acclaim. With a signature joyous maximalist aesthetic, Matthew is a perfect match for the vibrant, design-forward resort. During his residency (from October 21st to 31st), Matthew will demonstrate how to paint one of his favourite motifs, the palm tree. The coconut palm (or Dhivehi ruh) is the most common type of palm in the Maldives, and it is the national tree of the Maldives.
Rounding off the ‘Year of Colour’ are Yakov Khomich from Russia and Araceli Adams from Australia. Yakov is a photographer and visual storyteller. His residency (from November 3rd to 13th) will explore the interplay between light, reflection, and emotion within Finolhu Maldives’ natural surroundings. Yakov will lead three two-hour masterclasses focused on painting and sketching Finolhu’s landscapes and seascapes.
Then, just in time for Christmas, Araceli will arrive from Australia to curate a festive collaboration uniting global craftsmanship, cultural celebration, and design-driven joy. The Spanish-Australian artist and designer will showcase hand-made and painted porcelain pieces from December 20th to January 3rd. They draw on the rich biodiversity of the Indo-Pacific and the decorative drawings of natural history books produced during the European colonial era.
During Araceli’s residency, guests can participate in a hands-on porcelain painting experience inspired by the marine ecosystems of Baa Atoll. Each guest will receive a half-baked porcelain platter, pre-sketched with local sea life such as rays, reef fish, corals, and turtles, that they can paint in their own style. The workshop will also offer guests the chance to learn about the aquatic life they encounter during their stay at Finolhu Maldives.
The events will revolve around Finolhu’s Art Lab. Inspired by the shape of barnacles, it was designed by KulörGroup Singapore and Muza Lab London, in collaboration with Asali Bali.
General Manager of Finolhu and ‘.Here Baa Atoll‘ Seaside Collection Resorts, Steven Phillips, said: “As the Maldives’ first Design Hotels member, Finolhu has always championed creativity as a cornerstone of our identity.
“The Art and Design Year is a natural extension of that philosophy, celebrating design as a living, evolving conversation between our guests, our environment, and the global creative community.”
For more information, visit the Finolhu website.
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