Interview
Sumii Haleem
Sumii Haleem is a self-taught Maldivian textile designer and mixed media artist and the founder of Funoas, a sustainable swimwear brand rooted. Born and raised in the Maldives, Sumii’s work is inspired by the vibrant marine life and fragile ecosystems of her island home. Her designs are a visual exploration of reef creatures, textures, and coral patterns brought to life through bold colour palettes and a blend of hand-drawn and digital techniques. Sumii's creative journey began in childhood, sketching alongside her aunt, a seamstress. Experimenting with Microsoft Paint at age 11 laid the foundation for her distinct style. Her artistic practice is deeply personal, grounded in curiosity, emotion and a reverence for nature. Through Funoas, she transforms her artwork into wearable forms of storytelling that raise awareness about the climate crisis threatening island nations like the Maldives. Dedicated to collaboration and community, Sumii often partners with local artists and artisans to share her platform, amplifying Dhivehi voices and cultural narratives through contemporary design. Her work is not only an expression of identity and place, but also a quiet act of resistance; preserving what is being lost, one print at a time.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. My journey into textile design began in primary school, nurtured by time spent with my aunt, a talented seamstress. She specialised in embroidered bedding and children's wear. She was the first to recognize my eye for design. She often included me to sketch motifs for her projects - whether it was bedding or a wedding dress. She would ask for my opinion on colour palettes, which I took very seriously even as a child. At the age of 11, I began teaching myself digital illustration using Microsoft Paint and a mouse - a technique I still use for many of my digital works today. I really enjoy the technique which is why I still use it. My artistic practice has always been shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and self-teaching. Through trial and error, I’ve explored many techniques and styles via mixed media which I think helped my art to organically evolve into what it is today.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My current body of work is centered around Funoas, my swimwear brand. Funoas is an artistic homage to my homeland, the Maldives, a place of extraordinary natural beauty, deep cultural heritage now facing the existential threat of climate change. Each design is rooted in the intricate patterns and vivid colours of the coral reefs and their marine life. Through wearable art, I aim to spark conversation around the environmental and social challenges threatening both our ecosystems and the unique Dhivehi identity that has evolved alongside them. I aim for my prints to bring focus towards a visual narrative of a fragile archipelago, on the brink of disappearing. Funoas is also a collaborative platform. I work closely with other Maldivian (Dhivehi) artists and artisans, offering space for their voices and stories to reach a wider audience. Together, we are able to weave culture, activism and art through Funoas to speak about the social and environmental issues.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I have to say it is both advance and improvised. Honestly speaking, ideas come to me when I least expect it so I usually never have a sketch book around me. So, I make a mental note of it and plan the colours or the ideas in my mind before I sit down to draw it out. Sometimes, I am able to draw out what is exactly on my mind and other times the drawings would be completely improvised. I have alot of freedom to explore the process and experiment with different themes, styles and colours. I do enjoy improvisation more because the end design is always a surprise.”
“My artistic practice has always been shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and self-teaching.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I try not to follow trends because, for me, my art is deeply rooted in my own thoughts, emotions and my creative process. Trends can dilute authenticity so for me, it’s very important to remain true to my personal style and voice. That said, I’m constantly influenced by the world around me. Artists like Yayoi Kusama have had a strong impact on my sense of pattern and palette, and I often draw inspiration from nature and animals, which are central themes in my work. I tend to work in creative cycles or fixations. I get hooked on specific creatures or natural elements for periods of time. I’ll spend days or weeks studying and sketching and these obsessions often reveal themselves in my designs through texture, movement or colour. Right now, I’m fascinated by mushrooms and ancient east Asian tiger art. I really hope they find their way into my textile prints.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“Usually, it will start in my head as visuals. I'll get visuals of colours and often I would create a mood board inside my head before I start on paper. my favourite medium to work with are ink drawings, I find it very meditative and peaceful. I really enjoy watercolour as well because the end product will always be a surprise and unintended. For Funoas textile prints, I usually start with hand drawings and a lot of it is actually watercolour. I would then add elements digitally or change colours on the computer and play around with layers and opacity and blending until I am satisfied. I guess my style is very much improvised and unplanned and just following the process.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Art, for me, is not just something I do, it is how I exist in the world. It’s my language through which I process and express my thoughts, emotions and identity. Creating is my way of understanding myself with others and with the natural world around me. It is my medium for making sense and expressing both pleasure and pain. I find it difficult to separate Funoas (the brand) from who I am. If I did not have Funoas, I would feel trapped and disconnected from so many people that I want to connect with. It offers a sense of freedom and clarity when everything else feels chaotic or overwhelming. I never look at Funoas as a business or a project. It is very much an expression of myself.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had two fashion shows where I got to do a runway show in Cairns Australia during fashion week and also Kaleidoscope World of Art in Western Australia. I have also participated in resort pop ups in the Maldives and Australia.”
Website: www.funoas.com
Instagram: @funoas
