Indian expat creates artwork with metal scraps that beam image of Sheikh Zayed

Nisar Ibrahim created a tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed. - Supplied photo

Ajman - The artist used a few iron rods with no particular shape and installed them on a sand surface.

A unique installation of metal rods by an interior decorator has been creating buzz on social media. Indian expat Nisar Ibrahim used his expertise to create a metal structure as a tribute to the founding father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The artist used a few iron rods with no particular shape and installed them on a sand surface. Seen from a closer range, the installation looks like a collection of steel pieces, but magic happens when you view it from a distance at a particular angle. The installation forms the face of the late Sheikh Zayed.
Calling his installation, 'Father of the Unity', Nisar, the 15-year UAE resident, said: "My installation symbolises the way the UAE was formed. The differently shaped rods in my installation have a meaning when you see them together - collectively forming the face of the father of the nation. Similarly, it was him (Sheikh Zayed) who encouraged all the different emirates of different sizes to come together and unite to form the UAE. This is my tribute to the nation in the Year of Zayed."
The artwork is done in anamorphic style - using scraps, abstract pieces to create an optical illusion - and is 210cm high and 100cm wide including the base. With some technical help from welders, it took him about three weeks to finish the installation.
Talking about the idea behind his artwork, Nisar said: "As an Indian artist residing in the UAE, I felt it is my responsibility to be part of the Year of Zayed initiative because this country has accepted me and my family as their own and I have prospered here.
Nisar is also a well-known artist, sculptor and director of many award-winning short films. "I believe that Baba Zayed demonstrated a strong and beautiful example of unity by forming the UAE. Unity is what I wanted to express and choosing my anamorphic style meant uniting steel pieces that do not have any proper shape or size."
Nisar does paintings and sculpture as a hobby but this is the first time he used his expertise to express his love for the country and its founding father.
Encouraged by the appreciation on social media, Nisar is planning to display it in public exhibitions and later donate it to any relevant institutions that work towards promoting the works on the late Sheikh Zayed.
He is also planning to make more creative installations based on nationalism. "Two words I keep in mind while doing my artworks are unity and environment. This is because the late Sheikh Zayed set a great example for the world and completed projects in the UAE based on these two points," he said.

The artwork