![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZM5IUUEA7CVP4MJUPB7PCTXOTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0fdbdb8147d5c9a69cfb5ddb3157fed22528d04244206f8d68fcf4dc7b0db5f6&width=400&height=225)
Bin Lahej is also the artist behind the facade of Dubai's Museum of the Future, which bears calligraphic designs similar to the palace sculptures.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYTAZ7SEEJ3SCFEVVRRWGXSBVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=39a501098ac721c5d295ef6a9faaf9bb473188f2b19a837dbf840e2627d90fd5&width=400&height=225)
Qasr Al Watan is home to 'Power of Words', a series of three sculptures by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej based on quotes by Sheikh Zayed. All images courtesy Qasr Al Watan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WV36FRNZUCLFMJU6DGPWQO7AAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=bee21edc5e8d7c0041438943800b4c2df658eb3371ae17fc90e7448acf4ebf94&width=400&height=225)
The golden sculpture, located inside the palace, weighs six tonnes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B7FG7WAJJ5455M2XFBIPZYHQH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=686b64a9146d08d6b843910624805d65b2b7940acc0adc8797eaf98f9fb503a2&width=400&height=225)
Bin Lahej used three different quotes by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, to create each of the works.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R6NOZCIZZ7RDO6ZJPMYUDZS7AA.jpg?smart=true&auth=38c952a3b4a6569487bb3f99c9d37d16766cc80d6a3ef51b9d6fd9fdf9b53cfe&width=400&height=225)
The calligraphic sculpture is based on the quote: 'Wealth is not money or oil; wealth lies in people and it is worthless if not dedicated to serve the people.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CUN62VV42QWNXBN5LOFLMLB6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=191c5f4b6b6cda0410f27569cf92cb31377077e57096b8ae69aca6dfa79c51f3&width=400&height=225)
The remaining two sculptures weigh four tonnes each and are located in the palace garden.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZM5IUUEA7CVP4MJUPB7PCTXOTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0fdbdb8147d5c9a69cfb5ddb3157fed22528d04244206f8d68fcf4dc7b0db5f6&width=400&height=225)
Bin Lahej is also the artist behind the facade of Dubai's Museum of the Future, which bears calligraphic designs similar to the palace sculptures.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYTAZ7SEEJ3SCFEVVRRWGXSBVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=39a501098ac721c5d295ef6a9faaf9bb473188f2b19a837dbf840e2627d90fd5&width=400&height=225)
Qasr Al Watan is home to 'Power of Words', a series of three sculptures by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej based on quotes by Sheikh Zayed. All images courtesy Qasr Al Watan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WV36FRNZUCLFMJU6DGPWQO7AAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=bee21edc5e8d7c0041438943800b4c2df658eb3371ae17fc90e7448acf4ebf94&width=400&height=225)
The golden sculpture, located inside the palace, weighs six tonnes.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B7FG7WAJJ5455M2XFBIPZYHQH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=686b64a9146d08d6b843910624805d65b2b7940acc0adc8797eaf98f9fb503a2&width=400&height=225)
Bin Lahej used three different quotes by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, to create each of the works.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R6NOZCIZZ7RDO6ZJPMYUDZS7AA.jpg?smart=true&auth=38c952a3b4a6569487bb3f99c9d37d16766cc80d6a3ef51b9d6fd9fdf9b53cfe&width=400&height=225)
The calligraphic sculpture is based on the quote: 'Wealth is not money or oil; wealth lies in people and it is worthless if not dedicated to serve the people.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CUN62VV42QWNXBN5LOFLMLB6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=191c5f4b6b6cda0410f27569cf92cb31377077e57096b8ae69aca6dfa79c51f3&width=400&height=225)
The remaining two sculptures weigh four tonnes each and are located in the palace garden.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZM5IUUEA7CVP4MJUPB7PCTXOTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0fdbdb8147d5c9a69cfb5ddb3157fed22528d04244206f8d68fcf4dc7b0db5f6&width=400&height=225)
Bin Lahej is also the artist behind the facade of Dubai's Museum of the Future, which bears calligraphic designs similar to the palace sculptures.
'Power of Words': The story behind the Sheikh Zayed-inspired sculptures at Qasr Al Watan
The three large-scale works were created by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej
![Alexandra Chaves](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbdf74649-e581-430d-bebb-05a009adb530.png?smart=true&auth=1aaef0ec554b632723f2f63cf60bfb8380f8e1ec18ca35283e642f53cc0bac8e&width=70&height=70)
Alexandra Chaves
14 April, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic