Lucas Beaufort is known for live work made on the spot.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Sophisticated Maldives dreamscape Huvafen Fushi has reconnected with world-renowned artist Lucas Beaufort for the launch of his new artistic project Beyond. The partnership also celebrates Maldives Tourism Golden Jubilee Year 2022.

Beaufort will take residency this summer on the dream island from August 1-8, to commence the first work of his project around the world. The new multi-work painting programme aims to share the colours and atmosphere of unique and unusual places such as the Maldives, which have not had significant artistic interpretation since the pandemic.

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Beaufort, originally from Cannes, France, is a visionary and world-renowned painter, illustrator, filmmaker and photographer, whose vibrant, colourful work, seamlessly blends elements of abstraction and figuration. His artwork stages recurring and playful imaginary characters and creates fantastic sets and scenes which have found a home in many capitals of the world.

Beyond starts in and with Huvafen Fushi, Maldives, and the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) to revive the senses and magic of the Maldives, which celebrates its 50 years of tourism in 2022, welcoming people from around the world.

 Lucas Beaufort's works feature imaginary characters that are both playful and mischievous.

For Beaufort, Huvafen Fushi is a jewel island to which he dedicated a private work in 2018. A sanctuary of iconic design and natural beauty, Huvafen Fushi will once more be the inspiration of his art to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, to share the beauty of the island nation and its underwater wealth.

Beaufort explains: “Between living and dreaming, you’ll find Huvafen Fushi! The resort was like a revelation on my last trip here; my inspiration was immediate on discovering the unique colours and design and the vibes and light are so unique.

“I was able to dedicate to Huvafen Fushi a work that is exhibited in their avant-garde-designed Beach Pavilion. This idyllic resort, surrounded by a translucent lagoon, depicts the luxury of freedom in symbiosis with nature, where everything seems easy and the Maldivian welcome - warm and discreet - knows how to transmit world-class hospitality and tranquility.

“I am very happy to collaborate once again with Huvafen Fushi and MMPRC to commence this project.” For Noel Cameron, General Manager at Huvafen Fushi, the return of Beaufort is a testimony of the inspiration that the Maldives bring to visitors with expanses of aquamarine, sublime sunsets and captivating coral reefs.

“Lucas was able to create the first masterful work that signs the spirit of Huvafen Fushi. He knows our footprint in the Maldives, and we are delighted that he returns to us; to be inspired for the first stage of his next project, Beyond, which will celebrate 50 years of tourism in this beautiful country.

  Lucas Beaufort's work has elements of street art.

“It is a pleasure and honour to be a part of the collaboration, along with MMPRC, and have not just one but two pieces of Lucas’ unique art at Huvafen Fushi.” MMPRC/Visit Maldives Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Thoyyib Mohamed notes that the Maldives has always had a place as muse and inspiration for all kinds of art.

“Ours is a magical destination, providing inspiration and a serene setting for talented artists from all over the world to pause, ponder, and create. The Maldives’ name is synonymous with words such as paradise, sunny side of life, heaven on earth, and has been the inspiration for countless pieces of timeless art by local and international talents.

“Nature takes centre stage here, perfect for inspiring artistic creativity through our golden sunrises and cotton candy sunsets, vast stretches of blue-on-blue skies, crystalline seas with a world of magnificent colours, flora and fauna.

“It is a pleasure for us to have Lucas here in the Maldives for this incredible project, and what better time than now- the year we mark our golden jubilee of tourism too.

“I want to thank Huvafen Fushi for co-organising this project with Lucas. We, at Visit Maldives, are proud to be part of this project; we know it’s going to be marvellous in every sense, and we look forward to providing such opportunities for all types of artists in the Maldives in the future too.” Beaufort’s Beyond will be revealed as an exhibition and will be presented on his website www.lucasbeaufort.com.

His second painting, made at Huvafen Fushi in honour of 50 years of Maldives tourism in 2022, will be shared with the press and the travel community around the world. Opened in 2004, Huvafen Fushi is situated in the Male Atoll and features the world’s first underwater spa rooms. It is just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.

Born in Cannes in 1981, Beaufort is a painter whose inspirations range from Fernand Leger to Andre Derain via Parra and Andy Rementer. Influenced by pop culture and photography, his work is inextricably linked with the cultures of street art and skateboarding, two of his abiding passions. Beaufort has also been noticed through fashion brands collaboration such as Adidas, Nike, K-way, Converse, Lacoste, The North Face, Ellesse and Salvatore Ferragamo. He is also known for his live work made on the spot, through the inspiring presence of space and people around him.

MMPRC/Visit Maldives is the national tourism office of Maldives responsible for carrying out promotional activities to transform the country into a preferred island destination of the world under the branding of Maldives... the Sunny Side of Life.

It strives to promote quality and sustainable growth in the local tourism industry and deliver economic, social and cultural benefits to the country.