Outdoor Art Project brings creative interpretations of Dubai through the eyes of 12 artists

Dubai through the eyes of 12 Emirati and UAE-based artists came to life with the second Outdoor Art Project, launched by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, and Dubai Properties Group (DPG), at a community event that was held at Bay Avenue that brought together residents, families, and the creative community.

The art works of selected artists are displayed at Bay Avenue, a new retail destination at Executive Towers in Business Bay, developed by DPG, and depict the artistic expression of the evolution of Dubai, covering everything from its economic and social infrastructure to its cultural and artistic landscape.

Based on the theme This is Dubai, the city that I lived, selected artists including FN Designs, Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Hadier Shihabi, Areej Al Hammadi, Michal Teague, Darwin Guevarra, Sandra Surtie, Lucas Surtie, Elise Vazelakis, Farah Nasri, Amal Al Beiti, and Flordeliza Pesigan, explore an array of mediums ranging from photography to video and mixed media installations, to express their creative inspirations.

Khalil Abdulwahid, Manager of Visual Arts, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “The vivid showcase of works unveiled as part of the second ‘Outdoor Art Project’ shows the cultural influence of Dubai in our artists. They derive inspiration from the city’s constantly evolving landscapes – be it heritage, customs, and traditions or socio-economic growth.”

Sahar Al Ansari, Director of Real Estate Management at Dubai Properties Group said: “We are proud to have hosted ‘The Outdoor Art Project’ at Bay Avenue, the new retail development in Business Bay. The Bay Avenue retail walkway is a hub for activities and events which enhance the lives of the local community, and our partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority for the Outdoor Art Project is a perfect example. We look forward to hosting such events at Bay Avenue in the future.”

Illustrator Areej Al Hammadi’s Cat in the Big City is an interactive comic about a cat dreaming of being out in Dubai, while self-taught artist Amal Al Beiti’s digital painting Kayla’s Reflection, symbolises harmony within the city’s multicultural society. Mohammed Al Marzouqi’s Ray of Light is an HDR photograph highlighting the light exposure of Dubai’s skyline; and FN Design’s ‘Something’ City, depicts a city of profound culture and tradition.

Other works include: Farah Nasri’s mixed media Projecting an Oasis out of a desert canvas; Elise Vazelakis’ installation of the rich Arabesque architecture; Darwin Guevarra’s City of Dreamers, a mixed media artwork using scrap and found objects; Sandra Surtie’s Wall Stencils, inspired by the urban environment; Lucas Surtie’s Abstract Arabesque, a classic harmony, symmetry and balance of the multiculturalism in Dubai; Michal Teague’s Drift, an installation highlighting the phenomenon of fleeting beauty that often goes unnoticed; Hadier Shihabi’s This is Dubai, a series of short films and documentaries following various people in Dubai; and Flordeliza Pesigan’s The Commingling, an acrylic painting reiterating the city’s assimilated outlook.

The works under the ‘Outdoor Art Project’ will be on display at the Bay Avenue through the year. Dubai Culture is committed to driving the Emirate’s development as an influential driver of culture and the arts in the region, by building a strong creative environment, nurturing and developing talent and strengthening artistic community engagement.