Metro trains in Dubai get artistic makeover in the #ArtMetro project

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  Safwan Dahoul, a Syrian artist who lives in Dubai has been working on his Dream series for more than 25 years. It consists of many black-and-white paintings depicting a female form in an ethereal state. A Dubai Metro train is now wrapped in one of these paintings thanks to Dubai Culture. Courtesy RTA and Dubai Culture

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  Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is passionate about photography. His image of the Dubai skyline is the first in a series of art works to be adorned on Dubai Metro trains. Courtesy RTA and Dubai Culture

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  The winner of the 2011 Jameel Prize, Rachid Koraichi from Algeria, is another artist to have his art work decorating one of the trains transporting passengers around Dubai’s Metro system. His work is based on calligraphy and symbols. Courtesy RTA and Dubai Culture

Did you spot the #ArtMetro? Four full trains running as part of Dubai Metro’s normal service have been turned into giant canvases thanks to Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), as part of Dubai’s Art Season, which began in March.

A photograph taken by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, wraps the primary train. It depicts the ever-evolving skyline of Dubai, with the sun setting behind the Burj Khalifa.

Three other trains have also been covered in art. The bright colours of the abstract paintings of Emirati Abdulqader Al Rais adorn one train that is traversing the city, and the black-and white-tones of Safwan Dahoul’s work decorate another. Dahoul, a Syrian artist who relocated to Dubai during the conflict in his home country, is represented by Ayyam Gallery, who hold regular exhibitions of his work.

The final train is decorated with art by Algerian Rachid Koraichi, who won the Jameel Prize in 2011 and whose work draws on symbolism and the written word.

Abdul Rahman Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health & Chairman of Dubai Culture, extended his thanks to the Crown Prince for initiating the project.

“We are thankful to HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the generous patronage extended to this initiative and the kind consent to use his photograph, a real work of art, for the first Dubai Metro carriage wrap,” he said.

“This project aims to take art closer to the community, and highlights the cultural soul of our city. We are also thankful to the Roads & Transport Authority for their support, especially as we mark the Dubai Art Season, welcoming artists and visitors from around the world.”