“Art for life’s sake” is the recognisable feature of Raisa Mariam Rajan’s creative journey. For her, art is not merely a decoration — it is a dialogue, an emotional rebellion, and a vector of truth. Her work challenges viewers to listen to the whispered warnings of nature and the cries of a planet in peril. She is an artist who promotes the cause of sustainability and her latest solo exhibition, The Reflection of Nature (till April 24) at 1604 Artspace, Business Bay, Dubai, is a further step in both her career and the region’s growing movement towards sustainable art. The show marks a historic debut as the first-ever art collection crafted entirely from natural jute rope and zari, the traditional gold thread used in South Asian embroidery.
The fusion of zari’s shimmering elegance and rope, a material deeply rooted in the UAE’s maritime and nomadic history – Raisa calls the combination ‘Zarute’ – results in a synthesis of sustainability and craft based on heritage. In choosing rope as her primary medium, Raisa not only champions sustainability, but also pays homage to the UAE’s maritime and Bedouin legacy, where rope was used for everything, from building shelters to constructing ships. The cultural reference, interwoven with a global environmental message, makes her work both locally rooted and universally relevant.
Artwork titled The Storm Under The Sea.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE. In his opening remarks, he praised the artist’s deep commitment to her craft and applauded the powerful message embedded in her work. The launch event was also attended by renowned Emirati artists like Faisal Abdulqadir and Ahmad Al Awadhi Rukni, whose presence signified strong support from the UAE’s creative community for Raisa’s cause and artistic efforts.
In her brand-new 2025 collection in the exhibition, the fusion of zari and rope or Zarute, highlights the physical and symbolic strength of rope, alongside the opulence of gold thread. Each piece resonates with the harmony of tradition and progress, of nature and humanity. “The integration of gold into sustainable mediums was intentional,” says Raisa. “Gold symbolises timeless value, and when intertwined with rope — a mundane material — it reflects the inherent worth of one of the Earth’s most humble resources. It’s also a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to cost the planet.”
On view is also her complete COP28 rope collection, which had captivated international audiences when it debuted at COP28 in Dubai. The works portray natural wonders from across continents — towering mountains, delicate coral reefs, expansive forests — each painstakingly recreated with meticulous rope work. The textures convey not just the beauty, but also the vulnerability of the natural marvels, underscoring the grave risks posed by environmental degradation and climate change.
Tropical Beauty by Raisa Mariam Rajan.
The installation centerpiece at the current exhibition is titled The Elements of Nature. It explores the five elements of nature, namely, earth, water, fire, air, and space, through a symbolic and sensory composition. Created entirely from rope, it is a powerful visual meditation that captures both the philosophical balance and psychological complexity of the natural world. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a space where form and spirit intertwine, offering not just aesthetic engagement, but also serious reflection.
The show also features 12 intricate rope artworks, with each piece being created through labour-intensive precision – a testament to Raisa’s deep respect for her materials and message. Each thread has been deliberately constructed and each knot is intentionally done. The gold zari glimmers subtly, catching light, as if echoing the unseen energies of the natural world.
Raisa Mariam Rajan before her artworks.
A deep emotional link with Nature runs through all of Raisa’s work. “I feel the pain of Mother Nature,” she says. “When I hear the cries of birds displaced from their homes or see animals fleeing from collapsing ecosystems, I feel a spiritual responsibility to speak about them through my art. The voiceless need advocates — and I believe that is my calling.” Her artistic journey is also deeply activist. Raisa has taken her message to global stages, from Art Cannes Biennale 2023, when she represented the UAE during the Year of Sustainability, to UNESCO’s La Pedrera in Spain, where she exhibited her work which blended cultural storytelling and environmental themes.
Perhaps, most notably, she was the concept creator and led the most nationalities in achieving a Guinness World Record on December 3, 2022, in an art lesson in Abu Dhabi, where 65 different nationalities took part. The event underscored a commitment to using art as a tool for unity, education, and global change.
Raisa’s artistic methodology is heavily influenced by her international art residencies in Seychelles and Azerbaijan, where she immersed herself in sustainable techniques such as printing with natural dyes and creating eco-friendly canvases.
She has been bestowed numerous accolades for her contribution to sustainability and innovation in art. What motivates her is a profound hope for the future. “Art is a statement, and nature is my muse,” she says. “As long as I can create, I will use that gift to bring awareness, compassion and change. My ultimate dream is for art to not only touch hearts, but transform mindsets — because the future of this planet depends on what we do today.” The Reflection of Nature is an ode to the Earth. It shines a light of hope at a time when the world needs it most. Find Raisa’s work at Instagram: Raisa_artworld or website www.raisaartworld.com
