Dubai Urban Art Wall Project...

...a tribute to UAE's bid to host the Expo 2020 in Dubai.

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, Wife of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs announced the launch of 'Al Ydar' - which is an Urban Art Wall project that will transform the 140 metre long outward-facing wall of Dubai Ladies Club, along Jumeirah Beach Road, into a stunning community-focused mural. 

On this occasion, Sheikha Manal said, "In more recent times the urban art scene has emerged as a creative outlet for societies to express their identity and ideals. Al Ydar encompasses all of these values in a glorious artwork that will stand as a proud symbol of our nation's vision. Over the year, Al Ydar will display new collaborative works of urban and conceptual art, under specific themes. I look forward to witnessing the growth of this on-going project that will explore different subjects with every new display." She added, "Moreover, I am proud to note that the first edition of Al Ydar will serve as a fitting tribute to UAE's bid to host the Expo 2020 in Dubai. 

Al Ydar is a glorious demonstration of the UAE's will and fervour to successfully host yet another world-class cultural event such as Expo 2020." Al Ydar, the Dubai Urban Art Wall, entitled 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future', brings together 9 UAE-based artists who are Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, founder and director of FN Designs, Rashid Abdalla Al Mulla, Matt Ryder, Mark Ganzon, Victoria Viray, Joseph Manata, Gian Juan, Katherine Wilson and Mohammed Hindash, a former winner of The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award. The project was commissioned by FN Designs on behalf of The Cultural Office. 

Al Ydar is divided into two sections, representing two side of Dubai - the heart and soul. The first section symbolises the heart through an illustration of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's poetry - 'Determination of the Youth', depicting images of the camel, which is the ship of the desert, and the mighty falcon, which is the national bird of UAE. 

Both are a symbol of force and courage. The art gradually begins to create scenes from nomadic desert life as a tribute to the tribe, which has been the principal building block of UAE society. Today, the seven Emirates have forged a distinct national identity combining the traditional with the modern, with the older generations teaching and passing on their knowledge to the younger generation. Finally, all of the elements are come together to reiterate the poetic words of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, "Bedouins in dry deserts lived a life of gruelling trials, The violent sea was their only source of living and survival." Further sending the message that regardless of our nations the extraordinary and ever-growing progress, the UAE people are still deeply connected to their roots that are the foundation for UAE values and traditions. 

The second section continues onwards under the theme of 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future', taking the viewer into modern-day Dubai with a collage of imagery depicting our nations growth and success such as the Dubai skyline, a vision towards the future and the Arabian horse, which represents more than strength; it epitomises a constellation of noble values shared by community members as well: grace, endurance, friendship and gallantry. These powerful illustrations are finally summarised by one of the most renowned and potent phrases by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, "In the race for excellence there is no finish line." Al Ydar is one of many upcoming projects facilitated by The Cultural Office of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum which recently launched to established with the objective to activate and concentrate its efforts on providing a leading platform for talents in the field of arts and culture; further stabilising the position of the UAE as a country of inspiration and creativity. – Emirates New Agency, WAM –