Union of Artists Installation Celebrates Emirati Unity Near Iconic Dubai Landmarks

This art installation is located next to two city icons, and tells a meaningful storyDubai has become a vibrant canvas for art, with murals, sculptures, and installations scattered across the city like an open-air gallery. While many pedestrians may admire them in passing, each piece often carries powerful meaning. This is especially true of a striking new installation unveiled in early 2024 at Al Hudaiba’s public garden, nestled between two of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks: the Union House and the Etihad Museum.Titled ‘Union of Artists’, the installation was commissioned by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) in collaboration with Art Dubai. The artwork is composed of seven majestic pillars, each a tribute to one of the seven emirates of the UAE, and collectively reflecting the nation’s unity. The structure symbolizes the shared values that form the backbone of the federation—teamwork, cooperation, equality, solidarity, and cohesion.The piece is a result of a synergistic creation by five renowned Emirati artists, all from different emirates: Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, known as a pioneering experimentalist; Shaikha Al Mazrou, a visual arts professor at New York University Abu Dhabi; Asma Belhamar, assistant professor at Zayed University’s College of Arts and Creative Industries; Khaled Albanna, who uses collage techniques to explore historical narratives and national transformation; Afra Al Dhaheri, whose work is deeply inspired by her Abu Dhabi upbringing. Drawing their concept from traditional Areesh shelters—an enduring part of Emirati architectural heritage made from palm fronds and wooden poles—the artists beautifully integrate history into the contemporary framework. The Areesh symbolizes the UAE’s roots in resilience, community, and ingenuity.The woven design of the installation, evoking joined palm fronds, visually and metaphorically represents how each emirate functions as a ‘pillar’ of the overall federation. Each is vital on its own, and yet, deeply interconnected with the others, creating a complex yet unified structure—an artistic mirror of the Emirati union.Location plays a critical role in the narrative of this installation. It stands next to the Union House, the revered building where six original rulers gathered to sign the declaration of union in 1971, forming what would become the United Arab Emirates. The Etihad Museum, an adjacent landmark, continues this storytelling—housing key documents and exhibits that chronicle the founding and rapid transformation of the nation.Seen in this context, “Union of Artists” is not just a contemporary sculpture—it’s a bridge between the past and the future, between tradition and innovation. It invites quiet reflection on the roots of the UAE’s national identity while serving as a symbol of enduring unity for generations to come.So, the next time you stroll past this evocative work with family or visitors, take a moment to admire its message. Through intertwining rods and symbolic pillars, it offers something more lasting than its materials—a visual expression of the nation’s story.Team V.DIR-EM-UAE