Dubai Culture and ArtintheCity announce selected artists for 11th ArtBus from 17th to 19th March

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has selected three UAE-based artists – Dina Saadi, Safiya Mohammed and Sultan Al Ramahi – to design the artwork which will be showcased on ArtBus 2017. The annual, citywide initiative held under the Dubai Art Season umbrella in collaboration between Dubai Culture and ArtintheCity, and will take art on the road from the 17th to 19th March.

This year’s theme – ‘A Shared Past, A United Future’ – encouraged nationals and UAE-based artists to submit designs inspired by the unification of the United Arab Emirates, a story told at the recently opened Etihad Museum. Representing one of the most pivotal moments in the UAE’s history, the 1971 Union Agreement saw the birth of the nation and demonstrates the dedication, commitment and patriotism of the Founding Fathers.

Dina Saadi is a Dubai-based visual artist who has transformed public spaces around the world with her Pop Art inspired murals, which have emblazoned streets across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the US with her signature bright colours. Dina believes in the power of art for changing lives and is passionate about empowering Arab women to use the streets of the Middle East as their canvas. Her ArtBus commission uses distinctive patterns to represent each of the seven Emirates and the diverse communities they are home to, while reflecting their unity and shared past, present and future with harmonious colourful streams. The design also features nods to Emirati heritage and nature, including palm leaves and traditional UAE patterns inspired by the Etihad’s Museum’s stamp collection.

Safiya Mohammed is a young graphic designer from the UAE, whose ArtBus design captures the nation’s remarkable progress via a timeline of its rich history. By using illustrations of hands to represent time, Safiya’s work provides a poignant reminder of the human efforts made by the Founding Fathers to build a solid foundation for the nation. The design spans the nation’s past, present and future, featuring famous landmarks from every city to showcase the UAE’s diversity and beauty, and celebrating its triumph in creating a peaceful environment where over 200 different nationalities live happily under one roof.

Sultan Al Ramahi is an Emirati illustrator based in Abu Dhabi – by day he works with the Urban Planning Council and by night he indulges his passion for sketching and doodling. His ArtBus design is inspired by the Etihad Museum’s stamp collection and captures the crucial role that stamps have played in UAE and world history, not simply by serving as payment for mail but more importantly by broadcasting the nation’s culture and its achievements across the globe. Stamps have reflected the progress made with every step of the UAE’s journey, and are also a nostalgic reminder for younger generations of the human touch that is missing from our current forms of communication.

As in previous years, the ArtBus will make its journey across Dubai along three daily routes including three major art hubs: Al Quoz, Jumeirah/Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, and DIFC/Downtown. This year, the ArtBus will also make a stop at the Etihad Museum for the first time.

The ArtBus provides artists with a mobile platform for sharing their work with Dubai residents and visitors alike, and serves as a convenient guide for visitors by transporting them to various art fairs, galleries, educational and interactive talks, and other art events taking place in Dubai. To book your seat on the ArtBus, please contact ArtintheCity on +9714 3417303 or email community@thejamjardubai.com. Tickets are priced at AED 50 per person, per day.