Look: How Dubai street art kicks up nostalgia, happiness hormones

If you’re looking to admire beautiful art on the walls in Dubai, you’ve hit the right starting point, with this gallery curated by Gulf News staff.

Looking for a colourful spot to get a photo for your Instagram feed in Dubai? You may use this list as your guide.

In the midst of towering skyscrapers and futuristic marvels, the streets of the Emirates tell a compelling story through artistic expression, connecting its people to their cultural heritage.

Wall art is a thriving way of artistic expression in the Emirate, evoking nostalgia, kicking up happy hormones or just sheer surprise, especially to first-time visitors.

Dubai has produced influential wall and street artists over the years.

Street art is legal in Dubai as it is permitted by UAE law (unlike graffiti, which is illegal).

The UAE, a land once flourishing with a vibrant pearl diving economy, boasts a maritime heritage of immense richness.

Featured on these walls a traditional game known as "Al-Qahif," a game that has retained its popularity among girls. In this age-old pastime, girls create squares on the ground, often marked with numbers, and then take turns tossing a stone onto them. The challenge lies in skillfully navigating the squares while maintaining balance on one leg and guiding the stone through each one.

These artworks offer a captivating glimpse into the past, showcasing Emirati children dressed in traditional attire. They serve as a visual representation of the nation's heritage and cultural roots.

The streets of Jumeirah are graced with striking art pieces that depict Emirati children joyfully engaged in a game of see-saw.

The murals pay tribute to historical landmarks, celebrating the architectural marvels of old Emirati heritage buildings.

Wall art in Dubai shines a spotlight on the city's rich traditions and cultural heritage, inspiring creativity and spread happiness while also reflecting Dubai’s character, vision and future aspirations.

In the midst of modern Dubai's towering skyscrapers, these murals act as a bridge connecting the past and the present, ensuring that the younger generation remains tethered to its cultural origins.

The new mural on a sub-station of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) on Al Wasl Road, which forms part of 8th edition of Dubai Street Museum.

These murals are not ordinary drawings; they are vibrant reflections of Emirati heritage and culture.

"Brand Dubai," the creative arm of the Dubai Media Office, has played a pivotal role in championing this creative movement, giving birth to magnificent murals that grace various areas of Dubai.

Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), and the Dubai Electricity is spearheading the Dubai wall art initiative.

Within the vibrant world of traditional Emirati games, one cherished pastime is "Al-Dassis" or "Al-Ghameeda." In this delightful activity, a child closes their eyes and starts counting to a specific number, while their cheerful companions scatter in search of the ideal hiding places.

A wall art in Dubai depicting a child taking a peek at a window. As these scenes are immortalised on the walls of contemporary Dubai, these murals serve as a profound bridge spanning the chasm between the past and the present, anchoring the younger generation to its ancestral heritage.

A series of murals on the Dubai Metro bridge along Shaikh Zayed Road will let you give your imagination bit of a flight.

Are you interested in joining an astronaut to climb up a ladder into the sky?

The murals depict the spirit of innovation and freedom of thought, part of an initiative that aims to transform Dubai into an open-air museum, celebrate art and creativity.