Future bedouin: Blending tradition and innovation in UAE's art scene

T.S. Eliot—whose poetry collection I devoured in my school years and still keep close at hand on my bookshelf—had a fascinating take on time, where the past, present and future converge into one eternal now. I’m reminded of that as I speak with artist Future Bedouin (we’ll use her pseudonym), whose work bends time in its own way—reviving Arab traditions, shaping the future, and making both feel utterly present.

Three years ago, after her daughter’s birth, she decided to settle in the UAE, having previously travelled here for work. “I’ve always been drawn to its culture—the way tradition and modernity coexist so effortlessly,” she reflects. “There’s a refined elegance, a kind of classy sophistication in the way heritage is preserved while embracing the future,” a sentiment that echoes in her work.  

“It all started in a very unexpected way,” says Future Bedouin, who is based in Dubai—her love of creating digital experiences and public art is instantly apparent. “I was at home with my daughter and felt the need for a creative outlet. So, I decided to start an Instagram account to share my vision of Middle Eastern culture, blending tradition with a modern twist,” she shares.

For its unique aesthetic appeal, Future Bedouin’s Instagram presence quickly gained momentum after just a few posts, the first dating back to February 2023. “That’s when I realised there was a real connection with this perspective,” she states. “What started as a passion project quickly grew into a full-time business, evolving into a platform now focused on large-scale installations, immersive experiences, and high-end brand collaborations. Future Bedouin was never just about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling, reinterpreting heritage for the future.”

Though her origins lie in business, Future Bedouin has been deeply connected to the art world for the past eight years. She previously worked for a company designing large-scale fireworks festivals in Europe, synchronising visuals with music to create immersive, choreographed experiences.

Now, her artworks crackle with that same energy and sense of spectacle. “That experience shaped the way I approach art today—thinking beyond static visuals and considering how movement, atmosphere, and storytelling come together,” she notes.

Future Bedouin’s creative universe—much like Eliot’s dreamscapes—is both timeless and ahead of time. Her digital and site-specific installations, particularly showcased across Gulf countries, are architectural in scale, combining fine artisanship with mechanical ingenuity and operational delight. They feel at once familiar and futuristic, nomadic yet nestled, playful and profound.

Picture this: a lattice of pillowy, cloud-like spheres forming Eco Air, a sustainable, gravity-defying structure that debuted at Expo 2023 in Doha. Then, an inflatable—get this—Future Majlis, with bulbous, arching limbs in recycled pink translucent fabric, stretching outward and transforming a centuries-old Arab gathering space into a vision of tomorrow. Truly nomadic in spirit, this public art installation was first seen at Hia Hub 2023 in Riyadh’s JAX District, before heading to Dubai Design Week in 2024.

Future Bedouin’s approach? Less T-square, more immersive design. After conducting thorough research and finalising concepts, she blends hand sketches, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools, 3D modelling, and digital rendering (using platforms like Photoshop and 3ds Max) to achieve both visual and structural optimisation.

“The initial idea for both Eco Air and Future Majlis began with a hand-drawn sketch, capturing their essence and interaction with the environment,” Future Bedouin explains. “From there, I used AI to generate visual references and explore different design possibilities, which refined the aesthetics and structure before moving into production. I also incorporate mapping and augmented reality (AR) into my installations, adding interactive layers that let the artwork evolve and respond to its environment,” she continues.

Once the digital vision is set, it moves into production. Future Bedouin collaborates closely with artisans, fabricators, and engineers to bring it to life. “Sustainability is essential in my process. Whether using natural materials, recycled elements, or energy-efficient lighting, I prioritise practices that reduce environmental impact. Creating works that have a timeless quality—both in aesthetic and meaning—ensures longevity, reducing the cycle of wasteful, short-lived installations.”

For purists who believe art should be a weighty, single-volume book, Future Bedouin makes a compelling case for the greater opportunity at hand. In her imagined world, art and architecture breathe and pulse with life. Her work is an artfully wild oasis, made domestic—a lucid and thoughtful exploration of the UAE’s layered textures, striking juxtapositions, and communal flair.

“Dubai itself is a huge influence—it’s a place where ultramodern architecture coexists with a deep respect for cultural heritage, and that contrast drives my creative vision. My work reinterprets Arabic geometric patterns, Bedouin textiles, and desert-inspired forms through a futuristic lens,” she comments. The city is also central to why her work is a joyful meeting place of contrasts. “It’s where ultramodern skyscrapers stand alongside centuries-old traditions, where AI-driven technology coexists with artisanal craftsmanship.”

Future Bedouin infuses her digital spaces with bold Arab iconography—camels, falcons, roses, domes—cluttering them with playful objects, saturating them with colour, and layering pattern upon pattern—an approach that teases the eye as much as it delights the soul.

I’ll paint a picture—whether it’s an inflatable white kettle that offers a quiet harbour to relish qahwa asli, or a coral reef-clad camel drifting underwater, or a towering falcon-shaped mesh structure rising in the desert, her work offers scintillating insight into the Arab way of life.

“I’m particularly drawn to the Bedouin spirit of adaptability, resilience, craftsmanship, and community, and their deep connection to nature, which feel inherently futuristic,” she notes. “Their ability to thrive in extreme environments mirrors the way modern Dubai pushes the limits of architecture, technology, and innovation. My work seeks to honour this duality,” she adds.

“I also admire the deep connection between Bedouins and the desert landscape, where resourcefulness and sustainability were key to survival. This inspires me to create eco-conscious installations that respond to their environment, much like Bedouin structures that are designed to adapt to nature.”

This interplay between Bedouin aesthetic vocabulary and an ephemeral, almost sci-fi sensibility defines her signature. But when it comes to cultural representation vs. appropriation, it’s a slippery slope—and perhaps her greatest feat is weaving together the many strands of local identity without ever crossing that line.

“It’s just a feeling. It comes from deep respect and intuitive understanding of the culture I’m engaging with,” she elaborates. “I always approach my work as a dialogue rather than a mere representation. This means engaging with local artisans, historians, and cultural experts to ensure the work feels like an evolution rather than an extraction,” she continues. “When you create from a place of genuine connection and respect, the balance between depiction and appropriation naturally falls into place.”

The Majlis—a traditional Arab gathering place for storytelling and hospitality—particularly strikes a chord with her. “In Future Majlis, for instance, I preserved that essence of the space, reimagining it with modern materials, digital interaction, and immersive storytelling,” she states. Bedouin textiles also pique her interest. “I integrate their intricate weaving techniques into digital art, inflatables, and AI-generated visuals, evolving the form while honouring its origins,” she shares.

By this point, I’m fully immersed in Future Bedouin’s world—riveted by her contemplative artworks, which nod to tradition even as they stride into the future, asserting that the past is never something to be left behind. “Storytelling is everything. It’s the foundation of my work, guiding every material choice, form, and interaction,” she holds. “The goal isn’t just to make art that’s visually striking, but to build experiences that feel alive—ones that evoke emotion and spark curiosity.”

Speaking of thoughtful art, Future Bedouin’s Al-Isharat stopped visitors in their tracks at the House of Wisdom during Sharjah Islamic Art Festival (13 December 2023 to 21 January 2024). As the sun set, the steel mesh installation cast intriguing shadows, blurring the line between the seen and unseen, its intricate form speaking to our collective spiritual journey and the enduring legacy of Arabic geometric patterns.

Then came projects such as The Storyteller, seated at the Dubai International Financial Centre, a grand inflatable figure cradling a book, its interior aglow with light, as though to remind us of the illuminating power of reading; and an inflated pink rose that captivated the senses as part of the artist’s collaboration with fragrance house Dsm-Firmenich and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority for the ‘Imagine’ exhibition, held at the Perfume House of the Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai from 31 October to 24 November 2024; and a striking installation at Riyadh Fashion Week 2023, where silver orbs and a mannequin glistened under soft purple light, capturing the allure of Saudi brand MWAZ.

A pivotal moment in Future Bedouin’s artistic journey came with Threads of Time, a digital masterpiece that depicts a doorway of vibrant crimson Arab carpets set against the timeless, sun-baked rock formations of AlUla. The striking contrast between the rich hues and the desert landscape draws the eye, as cloaked figures approach in a state of quiet reverence, almost as if mesmerised, crossing a bridge from the past to the future.

The work captured the public’s imagination, and fuelled by its success, Future Bedouin clinched a series of high-profile luxury brand collaborations, swiftly establishing her collective as a full-blown business. “Expanding into experiential and architectural concepts—such as immersive pop-ups, luxury interiors, and large-scale sculptures—further broadened the platform’s impact. Lastly, delving into the intersection of AI and art unlocked new creative possibilities.”

Future Bedouin’s work is a tribute to the monumental scale of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Zaha Hadid’s fluid structures, and James Turrell’s mastery of light. “It’s a fusion of visionary artists, architectural movements, and personal experiences,” she says. Combine that with Futurism, Minimalism, and the geometric precision of Middle Eastern art, and you have a design language that balances tradition with innovation.

Her next projects include permanent sculptures, particularly in stainless steel, across Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Oman—though details remain under wraps for now. “The focus remains on creating site-specific, culturally resonant works that redefine how public art interacts with its environment,” she reveals. International activations are also in the works, bringing Middle Eastern narratives to global conversations about the intersection of art, technology, and identity. Also expect collaborations with luxury brands for events with a digital content twist.

Future Bedouin is living proof that the UAE offers a creative playground for the ambitious. “Your work should reflect your personal story, whether influenced by heritage, global experiences, or creative passions,” she advises those looking to make their mark. “There’s a willingness here to invest in bold, visionary ideas, making it an exciting place for artists and designers,” she comments. “It’s a space that thrives on creative diversity and entrepreneurial spirit, where curiosity, collaboration, and cultural know-how are the tools that turn ambition into reality.

And her own goal is clear: to show how artistic evolution doesn’t come at the cost of tradition. “I want to be remembered not just for the visual impact of my work, but also for the conversations it sparks—about culture, technology, and identity,” she shares. “I hope to empower others to see their heritage in a new light and understand its role in shaping the future.”