“Art for the Ocean: Brushes That Speak Blue” Sustainable Art Event by Art4you Gallery

Dubai: In a powerful confluence of creativity and advocacy, Art4you Gallery, under the visionary curation of Jesno Jackson, hosted a thought-provoking live art event titled “Brushes for the Blue – Live Art for Life Below Water” at Mehromah Art House, Jumeirah. This initiative brought together artists, students, sustainability advocates, and concerned citizens to raise awareness about marine conservation and the escalating issue of plastic pollution in our oceans.

At the heart of the event were specially designed wooden panels shaped like traditional fishing boats. These artistic vessels, conceptualized by Jesno Jackson herself, symbolized the historic and emotional relationship between people and the sea. Artists transformed these boat-like structures into compelling visual narratives, capturing both the mesmerizing beauty and growing fragility of marine ecosystems.

The paintings by each artist narrated contrasting stories, flourishing coral reefs, elegant sea creatures like dolphins and turtles, and serene underwater scenes, juxtaposed with grim depictions of pollution, entangled marine life, and decaying habitats. The boats became canvases of both hope and alarm, encouraging onlookers to appreciate marine life while reflecting on the damage caused by human neglect.

“These boats are visual voices for the voiceless depths of our planet,” noted Jesno Jackson. “They speak for marine species threatened by pollution and remind us of our responsibility to protect the blue lifeline of the Earth.” The event was part of the Plastic Free July global campaign and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, supported by both the Plastic Free July Foundation and the UN SDG Action Campaign.

Art4you Gallery’s CEO Rengi Cherian added, “Through this initiative, we’re showing how art can drive awareness, empathy, and action. This is a call to become stewards of the sea.”

The event was further enriched by the attendance of prominent guests, including Ahmed Al Heifeiti, founder of Wadi Dafta Plantation in Fujairah; Claudia Pinto, a sustainability advocate and founder of Empowering Women Middle East; Dr. Heike Lieb-Wilson, business strategist and Charter President of Rotary Eco Club Dubai; Bouchra Izaabel, a visionary health advocate; and Muhammad Yusuf, feature writer at Gulf Today. Visitors had the chance to interact with artists, delve into the stories behind each piece, and engage with educational displays offering ocean facts and sustainable lifestyle tips.

The artworks were as diverse in style as they were in message. Roya Vahidi created a peaceful underwater landscape were dolphins dance amid corals, subtly underlining the urgent threat of plastic to marine harmony. Thomas Antony envisioned a future led by the younger generation, cleaning and restoring oceans through creativity and sustainability. Jaimee Felysee’s “Silent Beauty” used jellyfish as a symbol of misunderstood marine elegance, serving as a poetic tribute to the ocean’s mysterious depths.

Natallia Venerova focused on beauty as a catalyst for change, using her artwork to echo the global call for ocean protection. Nithin Umesh’s “Voice for the Voiceless” portrayed whales, turtles, and even plankton, emphasizing the critical need to protect species unable to advocate for themselves. Fatimeh Habibollah’s piece drew attention to the delicate balance and quiet power of the sea, urging viewers to reconnect with nature.

In a bold, haunting image, Jeevan Oroolu Veettil painted a fish trapped inside a plastic bag, titled “In Life, But Not Living…Free Plastic.” The message was clear: our waste has a lasting impact. Parisa Keramati, inspired by her scientific research, incorporated environmental science into her artwork by illustrating the hidden dangers of heavy metals like mercury in marine ecosystems. Her piece served as a reminder that not all threats are visible.

Reem Al Subiae’s mystical mermaid holding the Earth conveyed gratitude and our collective connection with nature, while Jesno Jackson’s own artwork captured the vibrant rhythm of marine life contrasted with stark symbols of pollution. Avigyan Bhattacharya used natural pigments and palette knives to celebrate coral resilience and promote preservation. Dahana Salem highlighted the life-giving essence of water in her idyllic oceanic paradise.

Mana Razeghi’s marine characters blended myth with realism to call for greater respect for life beneath the waves. Naseem Abdo Othman’s joyful dolphins celebrated marine vitality, and Kumar Chadayamangalam reflected deeply on his emotional bond with the ocean, sharing, “It felt like I was painting for the ocean itself.” Noreen Nawab offered a powerful self-portrait merged with marine life, symbolizing humanity’s inseparable link to the ocean. The event was a display of talent with a vibrant movement of purpose. Each wooden boat became a vessel for voices of concern, painted not only with color but with intention and conviction. Art4you Gallery once again proved that art can be a medium of powerful advocacy, one that not only raises awareness but ignites hearts and inspires change. As the final brushstrokes dried, the message lingered in the air: the ocean’s future depends on us. Every effort matters. Every image tells a story. And every artist becomes an advocate. Let these boats sail across minds and communities, carrying with them the plea of the deep blue. Because the ocean can’t speak, but we can.