UAE art campaign aims to raise awareness on the importance of preserving mangroves

All proceeds from the Paint It Green campaign will go towards the support of local artists and reforestation initiatives

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 30 JANUARY 2020. The newly launched Mangrove Walk at Al Jubail Islandi. A specially build viewing platform.(Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: Janice RShow more

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem falls on Sunday, July 26, and to mark the occasion, UAE social enterprise Mangroves 4 Mankind (M4M) has partnered with department store Bloomingdale’s Dubai to launch a special, environment-friendly art campaign.

Paint it Green is an initiative aimed at raising awareness on the importance of mangrove ecosystems, while also fostering creativity within the local community.

It will feature a collection of eight pieces of art created by internationally renowned artists including Emirati painter Fatma Lootah, contemporary artist Robyn Chislett, multi-disciplinary artist Ahmed Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, Dana Kamber, Meena Al Muheirbi, and forensic artist Ghanim Mubarak.

The art pieces on sale are all inspired by the beauty of mangroves and their connection to humanity.

The collection, which has been curated with the support of artist, curator and researcher Alia Zaal Lootah, will be showcased on Bloomingdale UAE’s website from mid-August.

All proceeds for the sale of this collection will go towards the support of local artists and mangrove reforestation initiatives under M4M, with the majority donated to the latter.

Abu Dhabi's Jubail Mangrove Park

“It is our collective duty to contribute to the wellbeing and longevity of our planet. Our hope is that the Paint It Green campaign will encourage local artists to take inspiration from the natural and the unique beauty of the mangroves around us and share their creations with the world, while playing an active role in the preservation of our environment,” said Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, co-founder of Mangroves 4 Mankind.

“This is the first of many initiatives that we look forward to launching on our journey towards tackling climate change and building a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was adopted by the General Conference of Unesco in 2015 to be celebrated every year on July 26 to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems and promote solutions for their sustainable management.