Look: How Dubai street art kicks up nostalgia, happiness hormones

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Look: How Dubai street art kicks up nostalgia, happiness hormones

Emirate has featured influential artists, while inspiring creativity, spreading happiness

Published: October 13, 2023 15:01 Clint Egbert, Senior Visual Journalist , Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor and Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor

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Street Art in Dubai — If you’re looking to admire beautiful art on the walls in Dubai, you’ve hit the right starting point, with this gallery curated by Gulf News staff. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Looking for a colourful spot to get a photo for your Instagram feed in Dubai? You may use this list as your guide. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — In the midst of towering skyscrapers and futuristic marvels, the streets of the Emirates tell a compelling story through artistic expression, connecting its people to their cultural heritage. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Wall art is a thriving way of artistic expression in the Emirate, evoking nostalgia, kicking up happy hormones or just sheer surprise, especially to first-time visitors. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Dubai has produced influential wall and street artists over the years. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Street art is legal in Dubai as it is permitted by UAE law (unlike graffiti, which is illegal). Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — The UAE, a land once flourishing with a vibrant pearl diving economy, boasts a maritime heritage of immense richness. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Featured on these walls a traditional game known as "Al-Qahif," a game that has retained its popularity among girls. In this age-old pastime, girls create squares on the ground, often marked with numbers, and then take turns tossing a stone onto them. The challenge lies in skillfully navigating the squares while maintaining balance on one leg and guiding the stone through each one. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — These artworks offer a captivating glimpse into the past, showcasing Emirati children dressed in traditional attire. They serve as a visual representation of the nation's heritage and cultural roots. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — The streets of Jumeirah are graced with striking art pieces that depict Emirati children joyfully engaged in a game of see-saw. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — The murals pay tribute to historical landmarks, celebrating the architectural marvels of old Emirati heritage buildings. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Wall art in Dubai shines a spotlight on the city's rich traditions and cultural heritage, inspiring creativity and spread happiness while also reflecting Dubai’s character, vision and future aspirations. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — In the midst of modern Dubai's towering skyscrapers, these murals act as a bridge connecting the past and the present, ensuring that the younger generation remains tethered to its cultural origins. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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AlWasl_DubaiStreetMuseum_Final-10-1645101357355 — The new mural on a sub-station of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) on Al Wasl Road, which forms part of 8th edition of Dubai Street Museum. Image Credit: Supplied

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Street Art in Dubai — These murals are not ordinary drawings; they are vibrant reflections of Emirati heritage and culture. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — "Brand Dubai," the creative arm of the Dubai Media Office, has played a pivotal role in championing this creative movement, giving birth to magnificent murals that grace various areas of Dubai. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), and the Dubai Electricity is spearheading the Dubai wall art initiative. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Within the vibrant world of traditional Emirati games, one cherished pastime is "Al-Dassis" or "Al-Ghameeda." In this delightful activity, a child closes their eyes and starts counting to a specific number, while their cheerful companions scatter in search of the ideal hiding places. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — A wall art in Dubai depicting a child taking a peek at a window. As these scenes are immortalised on the walls of contemporary Dubai, these murals serve as a profound bridge spanning the chasm between the past and the present, anchoring the younger generation to its ancestral heritage. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — A series of murals on the Dubai Metro bridge along Shaikh Zayed Road will let you give your imagination bit of a flight. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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art work — Are you interested in joining an astronaut to climb up a ladder into the sky? Image Credit: Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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Street Art in Dubai — The murals depict the spirit of innovation and freedom of thought, part of an initiative that aims to transform Dubai into an open-air museum, celebrate art and creativity. Image Credit: Clint Egbert | Gulf News

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