advertisement

This July, Hisan's latest masterpiece is being showcased at the Unveiling Visions 2024 exhibition at the National Art Gallery in Male’.

Hisan's artistic journey began in his childhood, inspired by a family deeply entrenched in creativity.

"My brothers used to make wedding sets, so I’ve been involved in this since then," he recalls.

From painting to calligraphy, Hisan dabbled in various art forms before discovering his true passion for stone carving.

"I’m most interested in stone carvings," he says, a sentiment that is clearly reflected in his dedication and the intricacy of his work.

What sets Hisan apart is his self-taught prowess in stone carving. "I learned stone carving myself by watching YouTube," he admits. Despite the challenges of adapting techniques meant for wood to stone, Hisan persevered, using simple tools like wood chisels and cutter knives.

His dedication to the craft is evident in his latest creation for the Unveiling Visions 2024 exhibition—a stone sculpture inspired by a pattern in King Dhiyamigili Ziyaaraiy. "I worked on this for almost three months, mixing cement, sand, and rocks, and then hand-carving it," he explains.

This is Hisan’s second time taking part in Unveiling Visions. His entry in last year’s exhibition—a stone-carved fish measuring 2 feet—was purchased by the Japanese ambassador.

Balancing a full-time job and his passion for art is no small feat. Hisan manages to carve out time—often working three to four hours each night—to bring his visions to life.

"It is very hard to make art while working full-time," he confides. Despite the exhaustion, his commitment never wavers, driven by the dream of seeing his work appreciated and sold.

His stone-carved creations are displayed on Authentic Maldives and supplied to STO and the Maldives Olympic Committee. This includes stone-carved decorative boxes for dowry presentations and miniature carved fish, intricately designed and displayed on his Instagram account @eveylacollection.mv

He acknowledges the challenges faced by local artists with limited avenues to generate income. "The most difficult thing for local artists is the lack of an art platform to display and sell their work," he notes, advocating for government and organizational support to market Maldivian art internationally.

Looking ahead, Hisan is keen on nurturing future talent. "I am also thinking of starting some courses to teach stone carving," he shares, hoping to inspire and guide budding artists. His message to fellow artists is one of encouragement:

"Take part in exhibitions like this and display your artwork; that way you can get a market in the future."

For Hisan, art is not just a personal journey but a vital element in the cultural and economic tapestry of the Maldives. "I don’t think a country can progress without artists. You need artists to show all the work that’s done in your country, even to attract tourists," he asserts.

As the Unveiling Visions 2024 exhibition unfolds, Mohamed Hisan's stone carvings stand as a testament to his skill, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of Maldivian artistry.

The Unveiling Visions Exhibition, organised by the Maldivian Artists Community (MAC), is being held at the National Art Gallery in Male' from 9th July to 20th July.