From August 02 – 20, 2016, world renowned British artist Clifford Rainey will be visiting Soneva Fushi as part of Soneva’s global ‘Featured Artist’ programme.

Clifford Rainey is one of the true pioneers of the glass art movement. His work focuses on both the human form and the bottle form and many of his works potently convey the human condition and its relationship the environment.  His works are collector items throughout the world and are included in numerous major museum collections.

During his tenure at Soneva Fushi, guests can watch Clifford create unique art pieces, learn the art of glass casting, and also purchase his works of art from the boutique and gift shop.  Featured artists from around the world visit Soneva Fushi for a period of three to six weeks to create artworks in Soneva’s fully equipped interdisciplinary art studio. The project culminates in an exhibition of works, and artists are encouraged to create works from waste materials accumulated, and/or natural materials collected, on and around the island.

Clifford is one of only several artists who have visited Soneva Fushi since the Glass Studio opened late last year, including the artist extraordinaire and master Venetian glassblower, Lino Tagliapietra, as well as glass artist Dr Sunny Wang and the American sculptor Howard Ben Tre.

Soneva’s studio was conceptualised as a state-of-the-art facility for resort guests to watch world-renowned glass artists create objects of art, and learn the art of glass blowing. It also includes a retail boutique and art gallery, designed to showcase the work of Maldivian and international glass artists.

The facility uses only waste glass materials used at Soneva resorts and other resorts in the Maldives. It is estimated that the resorts in the Baa Atoll alone produce more than five tonnes of glass waste, every month.

“The idea behind this project is to turn the glass into something that is much more beautiful and valuable than it was in its previous state,” said Sonu Shivdasani, Founder and CEO of Soneva.

Watch: Glass Making at Soneva Fushi