Waterfront Market and Dubai Culture collaborate to choose the best mural
- 26 Aug 2023
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
“With six successful years of showcasing artistic talent in the emirate,” says Waterfront, “the competition reaffirms the Waterfront Market's commitment to celebrating and supporting local homegrown talent and contributing to the vibrant arts scene in Dubai.” The theme for this year’s competition is Art for Change, and it aligns with the forthcoming COP28 event in Dubai and its vision to create a more sustainable world.
Additionally, the topic supports the government’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability and is in line with the country’s commitment to promoting positive environmental change.
Artists participating in this year’s competition are encouraged to channel their creativity, as is the case, through murals, employing their art as a catalyst for change and raising awareness about pressing environmental challenges. The opportunity allows them to promote sustainability and inspire actions toward a more eco-conscious and sustainable world. The winning artist will be awarded a prize of Dhs30,000 and the opportunity to showcase their mural at the Waterfront Market as part of the Dubai Art Season (DAS) 2024, organised by Dubai Culture. Also, the winner will have their mural displayed permanently at the Waterfront Market, alongside murals created by previous winners, offering the public a chance to admire and appreciate their artwork indefinitely.
Mohammad Al Madani, Waterfront Market Manager, said: “This year's theme focuses on harnessing the power of art to drive positive change in society, while raising awareness and advocating for urgent environmental issues in alignment with COP28, scheduled to take place in Dubai later this year. We are thrilled to witness the incredible artworks that will be brought to life by our talented local artists and eagerly await the winner's mural, which will be proudly displayed at a prominent location at the Waterfront Market and celebrated as part of Dubai Art Season (DAS) 2024.”
A panel of judges selected for their support of the growing local art scene including Khalil Abdulwahid Hassan, Director of the Fine Arts Department at Dubai Culture, Maitha Al Marri, and Lachlan Gyde, Executive Director – Asset Manager, Nakheel, will select the winner of the competition. Khalil Abdulwahid Hassan said: “The Murals and Art Competition exemplifies our joint dedication to fostering a platform that empowers creatives in their expressions in a time of major environmental considerations. The competition’s focus on promoting positive change and advocating sustainability through art is commendable and aligns perfectly with the larger vision of artistic engagement in society. I wholeheartedly encourage all creative individuals to seize this opportunity and contribute to this discourse. By sharing your talent and vision, you play an integral role in shaping a more vibrant and sustainable future through art.”
The Waterfront Market’s Murals and Art yearly competition has been a noted success for the past six years, with the aim of bringing communities together, supporting local creatives, and fostering connections between budding artists and art enthusiasts from the UAE, to nurture the thriving creative community. Participants in the 2023 competition are invited to register and submit their entries on the Waterfront Market’s website. To take part in the contest, one must be a UAE resident aged 18 years and above. The deadline for submission of entries is November 10, 2023.
Upon registration, those taking part can upload images of their mural along with a brief explanation of the work. After submission, they will have the flexibility to edit and resubmit their work any time before the competition’s closing date, providing them with the chance to incorporate ideas even as they evolve. Each applicant may submit only one piece of work. In December 2023, both the shortlisted candidates and the eventual winner will be declared, and the latter will be invited to paint their winning mural design on the designated wall at the Waterfront Market.
Beginning 2024, shoppers and tourists visiting the Waterfront Market will have the opportunity to witness the creation of the winning mural in progress - live. After its completion, in February 2024, the artwork will be unveiled to the public during a celebration at the Market, which is set to be a part of DAS 2024. Located at the crossroads of Al Khaleej Road and Abu Hail Road, the Waterfront Market in Deira is a key component of the Deira Enrichment Project, which aims to rejuvenate the city’s original hub, defining Dubai’s trading and commerce legacy. It is a state-of-the-art facility housing produce, retail and food and beverage options, offering views over Deira Islands.
Dubai Culture, under the leadership of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is committed to enriching Dubai’s cultural scene based on the UAE’s heritage, and is building bridges of dialogue between various cultures to enhance Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. Dubai Culture aims to revive and preserve the emirate's historical heritage in line with its strategic roadmap 2020 – 2026. The organisation also seeks to empower by investing in various cultural and heritage assets under its remit, including the management of six heritage sites, five museums, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and eight Dubai Public Library branches; together they contribute to creating an economic system that stimulates cultural and creative industries.