Emirati freediver makes waves with unique underwater photo in the UAE
‘Mermaid of the UAE’ captured in traditional attire with rich poetic tributes
Dubai: Khawla Al Shehi, a well-known Emirati diver instructor and freediver in the UAE, is making new waves with a unique piece of underwater artwork.
The artwork, a photograph taken by Arwa Mohammed, an American-Iraqi underwater documentary filmmaker, captures Khawla in traditional Emirati attire underwater to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day.
The work of art, which is being pegged as a “tri-national collaboration” also has Saudi poet Hammam Alahmadi pay rich tributes to Emirati women.
Khawla told Gulf News, “It was an amazing experience. As an experienced freediver, I feel so proud representing my Emirati tradition, heritage and culture.”
She said, “EVery Emirati woman should be proud of her achievements and celebrate them. Every woman is the owner of a powerful passport in an exceptional country that is ambitious and forward-looking, yet preserves its rich heritage.”
Arwa said, “Khawla embodies the grace and strength of Emirati women. Known as the ‘Mermaid of the UAE’, she feels most at home when deep in the ocean, where she moves with a fluid elegance that defies the natural limitations of the human body. In the photograph, her eyes tell a story of serenity and power, as if she is not in the sea but rather one with it, exuding a beauty that is both ethereal and grounded.”
Adding another layer of depth to this already profound image is the poetry of Hammam Alahmadi which reimagines the image, painting with words the emotions and stories that lie beneath the surface.
“His verses invite the audience to dive deeper into the artwork, finding new meaning and connection with each line,” said Arwa.