Dhivehi Demons

Some poster concepts for the series of illustrations I’ve been working of imaginary Dhivehi Demons. Here we have: Fashion Fureytha, Gas Venfunna, Dhunthari Kokaa, Siyaasee Fureytha, Liyelaa Makunu, and the Matriarch. Although inspired by dhivehi folklore and culture I must be clear that these beings are imaginary in the sense that they come from my mind. They are not “real” in that they are not demons from the scraps of folklore that we have recorded. I do not trust the gatekeepers of Dhivehi folklore. So as a Dhivehi person born and raised I am going to make my own folklore. I refuse to keep regurgitating the same old crap. The same few government approved legends that have been so warped through the ages that we can hardly comprehend what they were meant to be. These are also not djinn. Our belief in Djinn is a result of Arab colonisation. All our demons, monsters, and beings, became Djinn so that they would fit into the new belief system. These demons are older.

Digital Art, Maldivian CultureHani Amir8 January 2023ProcreateComment

Maama Dreams Of Tharaggee

Maama Dreams Of Tharaggee / (Granma Dreams of Progress) / Meditation in the land of storms / A proof of concept of combining my old photographs with a terrible cold / Digital / (2022)

Digital Art, Maldivian Culture, MaldivesHani Amir12 August 2022Comment

How You Make Me Feel

How You Make Me Feel | Digital | (2022)

CONTENT WARNING: Self harm, suicide, abuse, homophobia

There is a lot I want to say about this piece. I draw in an unplanned, organic way. When things appear in my imagination, I add them in.

I imagined hands coming down as spiders, throwing out hooks, manipulating my face, my emotions, how I appear to the outside world.

The hooks would pull and tear at my skin, as the lines pulled through bone and sinew.

Why illustrate such violence towards oneself? Well for one thing it is better than hurting my physical body.

Through the process of this illustration I realised I was expressing some deep traumas that I have not really addressed directly. When I look back at the body of my work, it is obvious where I have subconsciously explored these feelings. In deciding to make this piece with more focus, I found that it drained and took a lot out of me. I worked on it tirelessly until it all came into focus, and when it did, I felt a tidal wave of exhaustion but also relief.

I feel like the time is right to share these stories. They will provide context for this work.

Digital Art, Self, Patterns, NatureHani Amir8 July 2022Comment

My Hijab In Bloom

Unlearn yourself | Digital | (2022)

Digital Art, Self, Nature, PatternsHani Amir23 June 2022Comment

Siyaasee Fureytha (Political Demon)

One hand to rule them all (2022) | Learning that less is more

Abstract, Digital Art, Maldivian CultureHani Amir13 May 2022Comment

Gas Venfunna (Tree Blenny)

As the sun sets, the Gas Venfunna climb up into the canopy, where they wait. Under the cover of darkness, they drop down onto the shoulders of unsuspecting passers by. They then crawl up into the nostrils and lodge themselves inside the sinus cavity, where it secretes a mucus that causes its victim to lose consciousness. The crafty Gas Venfunna then lays its microscopic eggs and retreats back into the ocean, leaving its victim none the wiser. | Part of my pantheon of imaginary Dhivehi monsters and beings | Digital | (2022)