Maldivian Psychedelic Art Growing Despite Religious Censorship

MINIVAN NEWS
By Donna Richardson

"Forever" (2012) by Afu(Afzal Shaafiu Hasan) 

MALDIVES---Handfuls of sand are sprinkled are carefully onto glass, and a single finger pokes the grains to magically morph them into a moving painting as an animation unfolds telling important narratives about the survival of a nation, against the soundtrack of haunting music. All these scenes capture the moment that the Maldives was changed forever. They were created by an enigmatic artist called Afzal Shaafiu Hasan, also known as Afu. He has decided to use his unique talent of drawing with sand to describe what he calls Baton Day, the day after the coup which destabilised the country and toppled the first democratically elected president the Maldives had seen in 30 years. In the modern Maldives the art world is growing, but at the same time, due to religious restrictions, artists have gone in hiding and dare not express their opinions.All are facing challenges from the establishment, political and religious figures who believe creative arts are sinful. [link]