In August, I received an unexpected and exciting call from my old high school friend, David. He remembered that I was a visual artist back in the day and reached out to let me know he was working with Marine Discovery Center (MDC), an organization focused on hotels and marine conservation. MDC was in the process of building a new hotel in Matemwe, Zanzibar, and they had a unique vision for the reception area: a dedicated immersive room designed to simulate life under the ocean through mural art and sculpture.

The purpose of this room was not only to create a memorable visual experience, but also to serve as a space for marine education and conservation awareness. Because they wanted the room to reflect local creativity and culture, MDC was keen on working with local artists. David connected me with the project leads, Ms. Marine and Nina, and from there, the journey began.

We held several meetings to understand and refine their concept. MDC already had mockups prepared, which gave us a strong foundation. The idea was to combine large-scale mural paintings with sculptural elements to create a fully immersive, surrounding experience—one that would make visitors feel as though they had stepped beneath the ocean’s surface.

At our studio, the visual artists selected for the project were Abel, Michael, and me. Since sculpture was a key part of the experience, Michael suggested bringing in his university friend, Amon Majaliwa, a talented sculptor. After speaking with Majaliwa and briefing him on the concept, it was clear we were aligned creatively. With him on board, our team became four artists strong.

In the second half of October, we traveled to Zanzibar and headed to Shamba, where Matemwe is located. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality of our hosts was exceptional. We stayed at a comfortable hotel close to the site and had a driver who took us to and from work every day, allowing us to focus fully on the project.

One of our initial concerns was scale. Until then, we had only seen the space through photographs, and the budget and timeline had already been agreed upon. Naturally, we worried the room might be larger or more complex than expected. Fortunately, once we saw it in person, it aligned well with our estimates.

With enthusiasm and focus, we began the work. The process started with priming the walls, followed by careful planning of the composition—deciding where each marine subject and element would live within the space. At the same time, Majaliwa began preparing the sculptural components. Unlike many projects where we work independently, this one required close collaboration. Every artist contributed, shared ideas, and adapted as the work evolved.

Throughout the process, we remained in constant communication with our marine science correspondent, Ms. Marine Malen, a marine biologist based in Mauritius. We shared daily updates, and she provided valuable feedback to ensure the marine life depicted was both accurate and educational.

Since the hotel was still under construction, there were many other workers on-site. They often stopped by to watch the progress, curious and excited to see how the room would turn out. Their interest and encouragement added to the energy of the project.

By the seventh day, the immersive room was complete. We officially handed over the project, feeling proud of what we had created. Most importantly, our clients were happy—and so were we.

Taking part in this project was a meaningful experience for our studio. It brought together art, collaboration, and conservation, aligning perfectly with our mission to create impactful, locally driven artistic experiences. We are grateful for the opportunity and proud to have contributed to a project that educates, inspires, and celebrates the beauty of our oceans.