At JOALI Maldives, creativity takes many forms. Amid the whispering palms and ivory beaches, art is not confined to a gallery — it lives and breathes across the island. This spirit lies at the heart of our philosophy of Joy of Creative Living. For resident artist Liza, clay is more than just a medium. It is a keeper of stories and a vessel of memories.
Her relationship with ceramics began almost by accident, when a friend invited her to join a pottery session. What started as a casual experiment soon became a lifelong calling. “There is a certain magic in the way something comes out of nothing,” she reflects. “Clay transforms into an object you can use, something that becomes part of daily life.”
On Muravandhoo Island, surrounded by the vivid blues of Raa Atoll, Liza finds fresh inspiration. The tropical environment adds new colours, textures and energy to her work, making each piece brighter, more joyful, more alive.
But behind the beauty lies a deeper philosophy. Liza says that clay “remembers.” It bears the imprints of the hands that shape it, the emotions of the moment, the marks of its origin in the earth. Each piece carries its own story, some reflecting moments of joy, others shaped by quiet reflection, together creating a gallery of lived experience.
Her creative philosophy is also guided by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which embraces imperfection and impermanence. In ceramics, this often means that what appears as a flaw can reveal itself as the most beautiful detail. “In the kiln, the unexpected is part of the process,” she explains. “That unpredictability is what keeps the work alive.”
For guests, a class at the JOALI Art Studio is much more than a simple introduction to pottery. It is an invitation to connect with nature, with craft, and with oneself. The clay carries with it the story of the island — earth, fire, water — and in shaping it, guests create their own lasting memory.
“If clay could speak,” Liza says, “it would tell the story of constant dialogue, with oneself, with others, with nature.” It is this dialogue she hopes to share with every guest who sits at the wheel, hands dusted in earth, heart open to the quiet lessons of art.
