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

Emirate has featured influential artists, while inspiring creativity, spreading happiness

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2 MIN READ
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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Looking for a colourful spot to get a photo for your Instagram feed in Dubai? You may use this list as your guide.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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Dubai has produced influential wall and street artists over the years.
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Street art is legal in Dubai as it is permitted by UAE law (unlike graffiti, which is illegal).
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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The UAE, a land once flourishing with a vibrant pearl diving economy, boasts a maritime heritage of immense richness.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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The streets of Jumeirah are graced with striking art pieces that depict Emirati children joyfully engaged in a game of see-saw.
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The murals pay tribute to historical landmarks, celebrating the architectural marvels of old Emirati heritage buildings.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
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These murals are not ordinary drawings; they are vibrant reflections of Emirati heritage and culture.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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"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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), and the Dubai Electricity is spearheading the Dubai wall art initiative.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
20/24
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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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A series of murals on the Dubai Metro bridge along Shaikh Zayed Road will let you give your imagination bit of a flight.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News
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Are you interested in joining an astronaut to climb up a ladder into the sky?
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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.
Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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