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This year, 15 local artists were each given a Veyoge Villa to transform into a personal gallery. Guests move through spaces that are both residences and curated exhibitions, encountering artworks that respond to the villa’s architecture, light, and atmosphere. The overarching theme, Maldives: a Simple Story, reflects island life in its most authentic forms—its rhythms, its stories, and its natural beauty. The 15 unique titles of the gallery villas and the artists behind them are: 

1. Veluge by Alwan Ibrahim 
2. Huvafen by Hawwa Lahfa 
3. Hawwafulhu by Hidhana Latheef
4. Koattey by Zifla Ibrahim 
5. Viyaage by Zuha Bari
6. Athiri Mathi by Emaz Shakoor 
7. Vaareyvilla by Aminath Fathina
8. Kulage by Afzal Shafiu (Afu)
9. Raalhu by Mohamed Hisan
10. Riveli by Aima Musthafa
11.      Bodu Dhooni by Hasan Niyaz
12. Bageecha by Aishath Shuaila 
13. Maamelaa by Mariyam Haleem 
14. Baburuvilla by Baburu Akuru x Jille
15. Rugiyya by Dhyna Shaheem

The event opened with a guided tour around the resort, accompanied by live performances. Musicians, dancers, and performers welcomed guests along the paths, creating a calming and interactive prelude to the villas themselves. By the time visitors reached the first gallery, the mood had already shifted: attention was on experiencing art as a living, breathing part of the environment.

Inside each villa, the difference in artistic vision was striking. Paintings, mixed media, and digital works blended with soundscapes and interactive elements. Guests were encouraged to engage with some installations, adding their presence to the evolving narrative. Curator Nadee Rachey highlighted the challenge of this format: “It wasn’t simply about creating visuals, but about weaving artworks into an existing, lived-in space… to see all 15 artists respond so beautifully has been inspiring.”

The villas felt like microcosms of the Maldives itself. In one room, sculptures mirrored the island’s coral reefs, while in another, abstract paintings captured the motion of the waves, endemic birds and traditions passed down through generations. The combination of architecture, light, and design allowed each piece to exist within a dialogue with its surroundings rather than as an isolated object. 

After touring the galleries, attendees gathered for an “unscripted dinner” on the beach. Soft music filled the air, and poi dancing punctuated the evening. It was an organic extension of the exhibition: playful, sensory, and communal. This seamless blending of visual art and social experience reinforced Oaga’s philosophy that art should be lived, not just viewed.

The Veyoge Gallery Villa Exhibition continues Oaga’s Fannuverin Fathuruverinnah initiative, which began in 2023. Over the years, it has hosted more than 60 Maldivian artists and 300 pieces of work. This year’s edition, however, emphasises depth over scale, giving each artist space to fully explore their themes. The result is a nuanced dialogue between tradition and modernity, island culture and contemporary expression.

Oaga Art Resort’s 2025/2026 exhibition demonstrates the power of immersive art. Villas become galleries, performances become part of the décor, and every guest becomes a participant. For those seeking more than sun and sea, it offers a rare glimpse into the heart of Maldivian creativity.