Dubai’s Evolving Public Art Scene: Transforming the City into an Open-Air Gallery
Dubai has rapidly established itself as a global cultural hub, blending its heritage with a forward-thinking vision for urban design and creativity. At the heart of this transformation is a growing network of public artworks, murals, and installations that are redefining the city’s landscape and strengthening its reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic art destinations.
Guided by the Public Art Strategy, an initiative designed to turn Dubai into an open-air gallery accessible to all, the city is shaping a vibrant environment where art connects people, places, and culture. This vision aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which seeks to create sustainable urban development centred around people, while positioning Dubai as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
Dubai’s Public Art Vision
Under the direction of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the emirate continues to invest in projects that enrich the city’s visual identity while celebrating its diverse communities. Through large-scale mural initiatives and public art commissions, Dubai is transforming neighbourhoods and public spaces into inspiring cultural and tourism destinations.
These projects are part of the emirate’s broader Creative Economy Strategy, which aims to establish Dubai as a world leader in cultural production. By supporting local and international artists, Dubai Culture fosters creativity, community engagement, and cross-cultural dialogue, while elevating the city’s profile on the global arts stage.
Chafa Ghaddar
Murals That Define Dubai’s Creative Identity
Dubai’s growing collection of murals reflects its unique cultural DNA, celebrating its history, diversity, and future aspirations. From bold contemporary expressions to intricate heritage-inspired works, these installations create interactive spaces that resonate with residents and visitors alike.
Chafa Ghaddar’s Heritage-Inspired Masterpiece
One of the city’s most striking works can be found on the façade of the Al Safa Art and Design Library. Created by Lebanese artist Chafa Ghaddar, the gypsum mural draws on Islamic ornamentation, reimagining the library’s original architectural elements while honouring Dubai’s cultural heritage. Ghaddar employed the Azulejos ceramic technique, a traditional Portuguese style influenced by Islamic, Chinese, and Spanish arts, to symbolise the emirate’s global artistic connections.
‘The Tide’ by Yubran Gosne (Sanctum)
Located in Umm Suqeim Park, UAE-based Argentinian artist Yubran Gosne, also known as Sanctum, created The Tide, a fluid, wave-inspired mural capturing Dubai’s deep-rooted relationship with the sea. The four-panel artwork blends shades of blue, turquoise, and green, evoking the meeting of water and sand while celebrating the city’s maritime identity.
Ahmed Amine Aitouche
Ahmed Amine Aitouche’s Dialogue of Cultures
Algerian artist Ahmed Amine Aitouche (Sneak Hotep) has contributed two notable works:
‘Amalgamation’ in Nad Al Sheba Park, seamlessly painted across three interconnected surfaces, explores cultural coexistence and balance — between tradition and modernity, freedom and discipline.
‘Epitome’ in Abu Hail Park serves as a silent call for personal growth, encouraging viewers to reflect on becoming the best versions of themselves.
‘Unified’ by Karim Jabbari & Jaime Brown
Among the earliest permanent artworks in the Al Quoz Creative Zone is Unified, a collaborative mural by Tunisian calligraffiti artist Karim Jabbari and American designer Jaime Brown. Created five years ago, the piece signalled a cultural shift in Al Quoz — from an industrial hub to a thriving creative destination. Inspired by the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the mural fuses Arabic calligraphy with contemporary design, symbolising how art transcends language and background to unite communities.
Ahmed Amine Aitouche
Murals at the Sikka Art and Design Festival
Each year, the Sikka Art and Design Festival, a flagship initiative under Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, celebrates creativity by presenting a remarkable collection of site-specific murals.
The 13th edition, held in February 2025 at the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, showcased 13 murals exploring themes such as Dubai’s evolving identity, cultural exchange, and the strength of Emirati women in shaping the city’s future. Through colour, movement, and form, these works serve as a powerful reflection of Dubai’s social and cultural transformation.
Chafa Ghaddar
An Expanding Canvas for Creativity
As Dubai continues to evolve, its public art initiatives will play a central role in shaping the city’s visual narrative. With new districts and creative zones emerging, more surfaces will become canvases for both established and emerging artists to explore.
Beyond their aesthetic value, these murals create meaningful connections between artists and audiences, transforming everyday spaces into places of dialogue, reflection, and discovery.
Where Art Lives in Public
Dubai’s mural projects represent far more than visual landmarks; they are a testament to the city’s commitment to culture, community engagement, and artistic innovation. As the emirate continues investing in the Public Art Strategy and Creative Economy, the streets of Dubai are fast becoming a living gallery — a place where heritage meets modernity, and where creativity thrives in public view.
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