Before his work on the mosque, Kevin Dean was an acclaimed creator of botanic designs and illustrations but had never worked on such a vast scale. He was appointed by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the former Deputy Prime Minister, who was responsible for the mosque’s construction, to design the walls and sahan (courtyard) of the mosque, which was built between 1996 and 2007.
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The designer, a graduate from the Royal College of Art in London, said he is regularly asked questions about the grand mosque in his home country. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
For the flowers, Mr Dean selected irises, lilies, poppies, tulips, roses, jasmines and passifloras. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
Kevin Dean returned to the mosque this week to meet with tour guides, students and visitors to discuss his work. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
Mr Dean believed the botanic designs reflected Founding President Sheikh Zayed’s love of nature. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
In total, 37 shades of marble are used in the sahan, originating from different parts of the world including Brazil and Italy. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
When Mr Dean first arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2003, he was astounded by the size of the tract of desert that had been earmarked for the sahan. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
For the flowers, Mr Dean selected irises, lilies, poppies, tulips, roses, jasmines and passifloras. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
Even though the mosque has been finished for several years now, Mr Dean is still a regular visitor. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
British architectural designer Kevin Dean tours the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, discussing his work. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
The artist who designed intricate flowers and vines that adorn Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque spoke of how the project transformed his life. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
Artist tours Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque he helped design - in pictures
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