Dubai Waterfront invites artists to reimagine future living in Expo 2020-themed contest

Submissions for Murals and Art Competition are open, with the winner receiving a cash prize and the chance to unveil their work

Nemar Precioso Sencil's drawing won the 2021 Murals and Art Competition. Photo: Plus1comms

The Waterfront Market, one of Dubai’s most popular souqs, is putting out an open call to artists for its Murals and Art Competition.

In collaboration with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the contest, which is returning for its fifth consecutive year, has been a platform to showcase and celebrate local and home-grown talents in the UAE.

With a theme inspired by Expo 2020 Dubai, artists are asked to tap into their imagination and creatively depict their vision of the future in the city. Taking into account the scale of Expo 2020, bringing the world and its diverse cultures to one location along with the sense of unity across the UAE, artists have a plethora of images and scenes to draw inspiration from.

Khalil Abdulwahid Hassan, director of the fine arts department at Dubai Culture, artist and Waterfront Market’s senior marketing officer Maitha Almarri and Lachlan Gyde, executive director — asset manager, Ithra Dubai, make up the judging panel who will select the winning artist.

“We at Dubai Culture continuously support and retain local and UAE-based talent and attract creative individuals from around the world by offering them a platform to express their creativity to audiences worldwide,” said Hassan.

“Murals are a part of the public art strategy implemented by Dubai Culture, which aims to make the emirate an open-air museum and a global art exhibition. As such, we are delighted to welcome back this annual competition in celebration of art, artists and the creativity that drives them.”

The winning artist will be awarded a prize of Dh30,000 ($8,167) and unveil their mural at the Waterfront Market as part of the Dubai Art Season 2023.

Those visiting the Waterfront Market will have the opportunity to see the winning mural before its official unveiling in February.

The deadline for submissions is November 10 and shortlisted candidates will be informed in December, one of whom will become the winner.

More information, including on registering and submitting an entry, can be found at murals.waterfrontmarket.ae

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood mural — in pictures

Seven permanent murals have been painted in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai. This one is by Bahraini artist Mahmoud Al-Sharqawi, known by his stage name Huvil. His creation, 'Tech Naash', illustrates a compromise between heritage and technology in an invitation to seize the joy of both by leading a traditional dance in a virtual urban world. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

In collaboration with the New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, a 20-metre mural is being displayed to the public at Al Seef, before being shipped back to New Zealand. The mural was completed between January 27 and 31 at Expo2020’s Al Forsan Park.

The 'I-Live' mural by Russian artist Evgenia Silvina and Belgian artist Grimm Van Gestel.

'Sisterhood', a collective mural by French artists Anne Laure Romagny and Robin Chloe-Azaide, highlights couture divas taking a spin.

Emirati artist Saggaf Al Hashemi's work 'Al Fahidi Beauty Tree’, which embodies his vision of peace, beauty and love.

Malaysian-Chinese artist Gary Yong's 'Tree of Wisdom' combines abstract and figurative styles.

The mural 'Music Sounds Better with You’ by the Egyptian artist Perryhan El Ashmawi, who lives in Bahrain, represents the convergence between the spirit of culture and contemporary innovations.