Dubai Public Art has unveiled its inaugural shortlist of creatives during a session at Art Dubai.
A multi-year project organised by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Public Art will develop and install major art commissions across the city, starting with Al Hudaiba — overlooking Etihad Museum and Union House.
The first five Emirati artists were selected from more than 250 applications and include Afra Al Dhaheri, Asma Belhamar, Khalid Albanna, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim and Shaikha Al Mazrou. Each will receive $5,000 to prepare a detailed proposal and maquette, with the winner eventually being announced in spring, and their finished work unveiled at the end of the year.
Saeed Mubarak Kharbash Al Marri, chief executive of Arts and Literature at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: "Dubai is taking major steps to build a vibrant creative and cultural landscape reflecting the city's identity as a representation of global creativity and innovation.
“Through Dubai Public Art, the emirate will empower talent, showcase local artists' works throughout key cultural destinations and strengthen partnerships with cultural institutions and the private sector to fully support its creative economy,” he added.
Scroll through more images of Art Dubai 2023 below
“This initiative aims to make Dubai more than just a unique model for cities — but an international symbol that promotes engagement between culture and businesses alike.”
Among those shortlisted is celebrated Emirati artist Khalid Albanna, who said he was “honoured” and “grateful” to have been selected. Explaining his proposed structure, he said: “The sculpture is a testament to Dubai's long-standing reputation as a city that actively preserves and celebrates its heritage and culture.
“Its resemblance to a traditional Emirati dhow's sails is a tribute to the important role that pearl diving played in Dubai's early history.”
He said this design aims to offer visitors an interactive way to simultaneously engage with Dubai’s past and future.
“It serves as a functional structure that enhances the vitality of Dubai's cultural ecosystem,” he added.
“I am excited to see how the sculpture will continue to shape and contribute to the development of outdoor sculpture in Dubai, and I am proud to have my work be a part of this important cultural conversation.”
Also featured is the UAE's pioneering artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, who represented the country at the 2022 Venice Biennale. Reflecting on his own submission, he said: “Through my practice, I respond to my environment with keen affinity for the UAE. Here we are surrounded by diverse and ancient landscapes plus advanced urbanisation.
“This tension is one of the concepts I explore in my work through organic forms and materials. The proposed sculptures emerge from the forms and ciphers that dominate my work.
“When a viewer sees these, reading them becomes his function: seeing a collection of shapes. He has the great freedom to read it as a story or novel or poetry.”
In support of the public art programme, Art Dubai, now in its 16th year, devoted its Campus Art Dubai educational and professional development programme to public art — with a view to building a foundation of sector expertise among young creatives.
Commenting on the move, Art Dubai executive director Benedetta Ghione, said the fair was pleased to work with Dubai Culture on what was an “important initiative”. She said that Campus Art Dubai aimed to provide educational opportunities for local cultural practitioners, adding: “Through this year’s programme, we are assured that there is a solid foundation of UAE-based artists to participate in future public art commissioning.”
Art Dubai also hosted the first in a series of Dubai Public Art talks, exploring the impact of public artwork on urban culture and the ways it can contribute to a city's identity, as well as the latest advancements in public art commissions.
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
The specs
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
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