You may have seen Kula Dana’s signature  Raajje-inspired earrings, or the vibrancy of colors dancing and complementing Maldivian history and culture on canvas. Getting to know the artist behind these gorgeous colours and innovative concepts was a true a delight. Here at Ka-Leo, we had the best time chatting with the young new artist who just debuted her first solo exhibition at the Art Gallery Male’… and it was a real treat for the eyes and soul. Nur Danya Shamun or Dan is a talented artist, who is capable of “inspiring the unthinkable” with her mesmerizing work.

It started back in 2016 when a young intern at the Ministry of Environment and Energy had her eyes set on a career as an environmentalist. Fate however had a different plan for her. After a brief, yet enjoyable spell at the Ministry, Dan soon came to realise that she didn’t have to be an environmentalist to raise awareness for the most pressing environmental issues. She found a way to combine her love for the environment and expressed it through her passion for art, and that became her natural calling.She then started exploring options for her higher studies and she completed her Bachelors degree in Interior Design at the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore in 2022. It was a class in 2D art that led her to find her niche as an artist and through that, her own brand, Kula Dana was born in 2019. Dan described it as “a platform that seeks to inspire the “unthinkable”.

Reflecting on the origins of the name, Dan describes Kula Dana as a play on the Dhivehi word, “to be brave” or “Kulha Dhaana” and her name. Dan explained the process behind her signature, expressive brush strokes and noted how it always begins with a brainstorming session – usually with the help of her brother and sister. Dan noted how this came to be in one of the pieces currently in her exhibition titled: Words Give Hope. This was inspired by articles written by her late grandfather Uz. Abdulla Hameed a renowned statesman and beautiful author. Dan found weight in the resounding strength and positivity of his writings that inspired this piece of art.

“I started to realize that I should have started to read his (grandfather’s) works sooner, because he had a very positive outlook on life. Reading all the articles that he has written, makes me really happy and puts a smile on my face. ‘Words Give Hope’ is an artistic tribute to him and his work”.

Dan credits everyday life and history as her muse and inspiration, recalling how at one point she went about recording the sounds of construction around Male’ city in the process of creating the artwork “Under Construction”. For the captivating “Minivan Kamuge Dhathuru” piece, Dan delved deep into research on Maldives’s journey towards independence and came up with the complete timeline. It is truly a beautiful piece highlighting resilience within a sea of time.

Her favorite piece is “Negi Raalhu” on cardboard and depicts the ever-looming and inevitable consequences for Maldives with global warming and sea-level rise. Dan expressed the significance of the words within the art piece, “އަޑިޔަށް ދަންދެން މަޑެއް ނުކުރެވޭނެ” “We cannot wait till we sink (below the waves)”.

“We cannot afford to wait without doing anything. We need to act now in order to prepare for the future. I believe that art is something that’s not just beautiful –  it’s powerful. It shapes and reflects our world so I think we have to look at art as something that’s educational, and gives the message of hope”.

In July 2022, Dan sought out to raise funds for Sri Lanka, the country she called home for five years. With the help and support of the local community, Kula Dana raised Rs. 100,000 in donations through the sale of coasters and earrings – all proceeds went towards the CIS Infants Home and Orphanage in Sri Lanka.

Dan describes herself as an abstract artist and spoke of her love of wielding unconventional techniques such as impasto, sgraffito as well as batik. In lieu of Covid-19 -imposed lockdowns restricting access to canvases, Dan explored different mediums and surfaces such as cardboard, fused plastics and everyday objects  and found a new ‘voice’. As she put it, the world became her new canvas. Dan also believes that she  grew as an artist during the pandemic because she had to think outside the box even more. When asked about overcoming the occasional bout of “creative block”, she noted that a mini-break and change of scenery is just the remedy for her.

“I try to see these blocks as challenges and opportunities that I can overcome. Sometimes by taking a break from all of it, taking a walk outside or going out. It really helps to be fascinated by the world and all of its wonders during these times and I believe that any artist could find their way out of a creative rut. You just have to dip your toes into something that’s different – something completely unrelated to art.”

Dan’s art encapsulates the happy, energetic and free spirited artist she is. Her art is truly a gift to any who lay eyes on it, as the emotions behind each unique piece reaches out beyond its medium and resonates with those before it.

“I think we should use art as a tool to empower and inform people about the problems facing our country as well as the world, so we can prepare to meet the uncertain future”.

Check out the Kula Dana by Nur Danya exhibition at Art Gallery Male’ until the 29th of September.