Dubai Canvas 2016
Swan Lake Party, 3.6m x 4.5m / 3.6m x 2.7m
The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residences – Dubai, UAE
Another year at Dubai Canvas which was even bigger and better than the previous year. This year I contributed 3 pieces – 1 live painting and 2 print pieces, which celebrated nature (Swan Lake Party), a world heritage site (Machu Picchu) and old fashioned game playing (Starfish Hopscotch). Over 30 international artists from 14 countries participated, creating over 60 works of art, featuring the top names in street art and an international roster of street painters from around the globe.
Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the event was organized by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), in partnership with Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), a renowned destination developed and managed by Dubai Properties (DP), the second annual Dubai Canvas Festival featured the art works in an urban space stretching over two kilometres.
The festival expanded this year by presenting art outside of our street painting genre. Participants included human cyborg Neil Harbisson, London based street artist Fanakapan, Portugal based street artist Odeith, Kobra Kobra from Brazil, Qi Xinghua from China and ‘Tape Art’ from New Zealand – all presenting diverse artistic offerings made available to the public over a two week period.
It was great to have local artist / designer Aaisha Memon back with us again as a reprise to assisting me last year. While it’s always a pleasure to work side by side with my talented colleagues, Sharyn and I certainly enjoyed making new friends and meeting fans in Dubai. The public loved the event, I believe largely due to the first hand cultural exchange with each nationality represented. It certainly appears that street art will be alive and well in the UAE in the forseeable future. Thanks to Sharyn Chan for rockin’ it with me; and a big shout out to 3d master artist Kurt Wenner, Brand Dubai and AfroAsia for a memorable event!
