Artists working to save the natural environment of the local mangroves
Join us for this unique experience with Jacqui from Wild Moves International: dancing inspired by the natural environment! Please see the flyer for booking details.
Due to Covid regulations and current lockdown, the exhibition and events has to be postponed. The opening is now on 14 August and we will update the dates and times of the events shortly. You can still view the list of events to make your choices to attend…booking details will be shared shortly!
Today is the International Day of the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem , 26th July.
Declared by UNESCO, this day is to “to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses”.
Mangroves: United Arab Emirates – thanks to Geraldine Chansard for the video
We hoped to open our multi-media exhibition, with amazing events and workshops, honouring today. Due to Covid we had to postpone the opening until 7th August. Still, we will celebrate and commemorate this important day!
Here is an exciting opportunity to be led via kayak into the secret gardens of the mangrove wetlands by our experienced kayaker and watercolour artist / Curator Zahidah Zeytoun Millie.
Sunday 15 August, Lake Conneware, Barwon Heads.
Please contact Zahidah directly on mangrovesfromthewater@gmail.com to book your spot.
Spaces are limited and we have 2 extra kayaks to use, thanks to the NBC school !
Due to Covid regulations and current lockdown, the exhibition and events has to be postponed. The new dates are now on 11 – 18 August and we will update the dates and times of the events shortly. You can still view the list of events to make your choices to attend…booking details will be shared shortly!
Our new dates are:
14 August 2021
We will keep you updated on any further changes.
Our workshop and events schedule are being adapted at the moment, and we will share all the details as soon as possible!
Zahidah donated her work Mangroves from the Water 3D (2015) to the Wasit Wetland Center in Sharjah.
Zahidah created a 3D sculpture of her experience in the mangrove after finding this piece of a mangrove tree destroyed by the local farmers and fisherman. Mixed with found objects from the Umm Al Quwain mangroves, they are set in a pool of clear resin to simulate the water and draped with natural wools reminiscent of the mossy grass/seaweeds found on site.
Zahidah donated her artwork The Self to educate children in local schools about the mangroves through art-activism. She explains her work here:
The Self, acrylic, resin chopped tree, mask (my face and hands) heavy knife used to chop trees, wire, wood, plaster, leaves, cardboard, inner shoe, 2017.
This art work talks about my feelings toward the daily destruction of the mangroves, which I witnessed daily while going kayaking or running in Umm Al Quwain in the UAE. I had a period of time when I felt I was one of those mangroves trees especially when I painted or sketched them. I spent a long time with the mangroves and I feel I know them very well! I felt their pain too!
I faced waves of difficulty while working to protect the mangroves, and yet so much support, too.
For this art work I borrowed the myth of Daphne turning into a laurel tree! There is a certain satisfaction and a beauty, I feel, of becoming a tree! I wish I could be a tree!
The Self is located at the Sharjah American International School in Umm Al Quwain.
We are grateful to be part of this important magazine called Marawed and fortunate to be working with Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute of Heritage and Editor-in-Chief.
Plants and trees – nature in general- is extremely important to the Emirati culture and prominent in Islamic traditions and teachings from the Holy Qu’ran.
Marawed focuses on the mangroves as part of the the UAE’s natural landscapes and elevate its importance to that of the better-known Date Palms and Ghaf trees spread across the lands.
Please do read the magazine (download the link above) for the interesting information on the local mangroves- from its medicinal uses since 4th Century BC, the botanical and biological science behind it, and the valuable contribution these mangrove trees make to the environment.
The Sharjah Institute of Heritage is a great supporter of Mangroves from the Water, and we thank them for their continued assistance and participation.
Mangroves from the Water curator, team leader and artist Zahidah Zeytoun Millie runs a podcast called Masainakum Masoonah – an Arabic saying meaning “Good evening to you, Good evening to us”
Zahidah in her radio studio at Pulse FM, Geelong Australia
In this week’s episode, Zahidah chats to Jacqui Dreessens from their kayaks in Barwon Heads!
Jacqui is a dancer/choreographer participating with a much anticipated performance at the Mangroves from the Water exhibition, 26th July in Geelong.
