Dubai Metro carriages adorned with artworks by accomplished artists

The spectacular artworks of prominent artists Abdulqader Al Rais, Rachid Koraichi and Safwan Dahoul now adorn Dubai Metro carriages.

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in collaboration with the RTA, is redefining the UAE’s artistic landscape by working with local and international artists to wrap the Dubai Metro carriages with works of art.

The spectacular artworks of prominent artists Abdulqader Al Rais, Rachid Koraichi and Safwan Dahoul now adorn Dubai Metro carriages, following the unveiling of the first Dubai Metro carriage wrapped with a spellbinding photograph by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The Dubai Metro art-wraps complement the Dubai Arts Season, the umbrella initiative by Dubai Culture that incorporates city-wide activation of arts and cultural events.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director-General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said: “We are very pleased to be a part of a project that brings the local and international community closer together through the medium of art.

“The wrapping of Dubai Metro carriages with accomplished works of art reiterates the cultural soul of the city and reflects the Dubai Open Air Museum initiative announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This path-breaking initiative highlights the city’s cultural identity with the wider audience of Dubai residents as well as visitors. Dubai Metro project also inspires established and aspiring artists to explore innovative methods for showcasing their art creations.”

Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency confirmed RTA’s commitment to ensure happiness of the public. “This initiative makes Dubai Metro a moving “Icon of Happiness” with a huge number of riders including the residents, visitors and tourists onboard,” he said,

Regarded as the UAE’s national treasure and a visionary, Abdul Qader is best known for his striking and vibrant abstract artworks. A visual energetic story is seen in continuity across Dubai Metro and as it passes through the city.

Koraïchi’s works reflect his fascination with signs, symbols and ciphers illustrated with intricate Arabic calligraphic scripts, while Dahoul’s work is part of the dream series he has been working on over the past 20 years where he mirrors the corporal and psychological effects of alienation, solitude, and longing that punctuate the human experience at various stages in life.

Dubai Culture and RTA is working on the initiative to transform six of the Dubai Metro stations into museums.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com