Creative minds from across the UAE came together this week to forge a new brand for the country.
Artists, authors, poets and calligraphers from each emirate gathered in Dubai as part of a competition to come up with a logo and slogan.
Each team comprised seven members – one from each of emirates – and had only one day to create a submission.
The competition was announced earlier this month by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Here, The National takes a closer look at five of the 49 participants.
Dubai Abulhoul Alfalasi is an award-winning author, photographer, artist and painter.
She was the youngest Emirati novelist to participate in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in 2012 with her book Galagolia, the first Emirati fantasy novel in English.
She is also a member of the Emirates Youth Council and has received local and regional awards for her work in youth advocacy, literature and journalism.
Additionally, in 2018 she published a series of four children’s books that focus on Emirati folklore.
She was named Young Arab of the Year in 2016 in the Young Arab Awards and graduated from the University of Oxford with a master’s degree in global governance and diplomacy in 2018.
Khaled Ali Al Jallaf is an artist and researcher of Islamic art and history, with more than 40 years of experience.
He is also a calligrapher and chief of the Emirates Arab Calligraphy Society.
Abdul Qader Al Rais is an award-winning Emirati artist who has 50 years of experience in the art world.
He is known for combining his love of landscapes and Arabic calligraphy.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sharia from United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain in 1982.
Since then, he has held 36 solo exhibitions in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Kuwait, Prague, Beirut, Washington and Germany.
Mattar Bin Lahej is an artist, photographer and sculptor. He founded Marsam Mattar Gallery in Dubai in 1992 to enrich the art scene in the UAE by supporting artists and new talents.
He is known for his bold approach to sculptures and was commissioned to create several pieces for Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel in the emirate in 2016.
One work depicts a poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, that was placed in the hotel’s reception area.
Obaid Suroor is a renowned artist from Ras Al Khaimah whose achievements include 16 solo exhibitions and seven mixed-media shows. Suroor founded Emirates Fine Arts Society and has taken part in many of its exhibitions around the world. He holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from Cairo University.
