Patina Maldives, Fari Islands has welcomed globally acclaimed designer, artist and vintage collector Sean Wotherspoon for an exclusive collaboration that brings together fashion, art, creativity and the marine environment of the Maldives.
The collaboration centres around Respect the Reef, a large-scale ceramic fish sculpture created collectively with guests and designed to eventually become part of the marine environment.
During his time at Patina Maldives, Sean spent time with resident marine biologist Nihaan, exploring the reefs surrounding the Fari Islands and the conservation work already taking place at the resort. Their conversations became the starting point for a project that would bring Sean's creative practice into dialogue with Patina's existing approach to coral restoration.
Two practices came together. Patina's ceramic coral workshops invite guests to create ceramic pieces that are later planted underwater, while coral frames provide structures where coral can attach and grow.
Instead of a conventional geometric frame, the structure became a large sculptural fish, covered in individually made ceramic scales, which has now been submerged in the lagoon surrounding Patina Maldives, where it begins its next life as part of the reef ecosystem.
The Respect the Reef sculpture forms part of a wider collaboration that sees Sean bring his characteristic use of colour, texture and vintage-inspired storytelling to Patina Maldives.
Created exclusively for the resort, the capsule collection includes apparel, accessories and a selection of one-of-one vintage Hawaiian shirts and Carhartt shorts, individually reworked with Sean's original artwork.
Sean's creative language also finds its way into the Fari Art Atelier, where guests can discover the exclusive capsule alongside original artworks, vintage ephemera and curated objects from his world.
The collaboration forms part of Patina Maldives' ongoing creative programme, bringing together voices from art, design, music and fashion while, creating opportunities for guests to engage with the island in unexpected ways.
