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From Pouring to Precision

Baachy, a national award-winning, self-taught artist, is celebrated for his expressive pouring art style, an emotionally driven technique that captures movement and spontaneity. So why the deviation from what he’s best known for?

“I wanted to explore a more introspective, deliberate process for Makkah,” Baachy explains. “This theme demanded a different voice. Something quieter, more symbolic. Pouring art didn't feel right for what I needed to express.”

For this collection, Baachy turned to a more grounded palette of mediums: acrylic, charcoal, pencil, and oil. The result is a body of work that invites viewers into a visual meditation on unity, spirituality, and time.

The Inspiration Behind Makkah

The exhibition is a first of its kind in the Maldives, a solo showcase entirely devoted to the spiritual and visual significance of the Kaabah and the sacred Haram that surrounds it. But more than a display of religious imagery, Makkah invites audiences to see these symbols not just as sacred sites, but as emotional anchors that millions connect with through acts of tawaf, prayer, and reflection.

Each piece is layered with Baachy’s signature style of abstraction and textured symbolism, urging viewers to step back and consider the whole. From a distance, clarity and emotion rise from the complexity; a metaphor, perhaps, for the deeper understanding faith often requires.

A Turning Point in Artistic Reception

While Baachy has held exhibitions before, Makkah has generated unprecedented feedback.

“In the past, people would visit, maybe leave a note in the guest book,” Baachy says. “But this time, visitors have been seeking me out to personally share their thoughts. This was the most engaged audience I’ve ever had.”

The response marks a potential turning point not only for Baachy but for the Maldivian art scene as a whole.

Challenges of Creating in the Maldives

Despite the personal success of this exhibit, Baachy is candid about the hurdles Maldivian artists face. “There’s a serious lack of institutional and financial support. Investors and councils often fail to recognise art as the vital cultural force it is. If we had even a fraction of the backing other creative sectors get, the art community here could flourish.”

For emerging artists, this lack of support translates into limited opportunities and visibility. Yet Baachy’s career, built independently and fuelled by passion, stands as proof that resilience can still produce profound work.

What’s Next?

Following the success of Makkah, Baachy already has his sights set on the next chapter. “There’s a new exhibit in the works,” he teases, “and it’s going to be a feast for the eyes.”

As Baachy continues to evolve his craft, one thing remains constant: his commitment to transforming emotion into art. Through each brushstroke, each medium, and each exhibition, he invites us to look beyond the obvious, and in doing so, to see something beautiful in ourselves.

The Makkah exhibition is open to the public from 4 to 12 July 2025 at the National Art Gallery. Opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday through Thursday, and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fridays. Entrance is free for locals, making this a unique opportunity to experience Baachy’s most personal and spiritually resonant collection to date.