Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) began as an art campaign in the UAE in 2013, launching with a series of multimedia group exhibitions over three years, followed by the Mangroves Festival in 2017.

The campaign continued globally, marking a new chapter on International Mangroves Day, 26 July 2021, with a series of events held through to 18 August in Geelong, Australia.

Our most recent exhibition was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2022. It was an honour to represent the UAE at the festival from 21 June to 4 July.

Most recently, Mangroves from the Water became the title of Zahidah Zeytoun Millie’s doctoral research, for which she was awarded a PhD at Deakin University on 17 June 2025. The thesis draws directly from—and contributes to—the art and environmental campaign, recognising the research and creative practice that underpin this long-standing body of work.

Aims of the Project

To:

• encourage viewers to realise the beauty and importance of mangroves,
• protect wetlands and mangroves globally which have a strong tie to indigenous people,
• encourage discussion about the mangroves, sea grasses and wetlands, to be held at the Gallery during the exhibition period, and
• emphasise the importance of finding heritage and contemporary storytelling of mangroves that act as a reference point for cultural identity and popular memory.  

Zahidah Zelda Zeytoun Millie

Mangroves from the Water Founder & Curator

www.zahidahart.com

www.mangrovesfromthewater.com

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