Airports have a key role to play in championing a city’s or country’s craft, culture, tastes and traditions. For visitors they offer the first and last impression of the locality, for that city’s citizens they provide a source of civic pride. An arts & culture programme connects passengers to a place in the same way an airport connects them to the world. Many airport companies embrace that role with pride and passion.
UAE. Dubai Airports has teamed up with Mawaheb – a Dubai-based art studio for ‘people of determination’ – to launch a new exhibition in Dubai International Airport Terminal 1.
The 12 artworks celebrate the creativity of Mawaheb artists and reaffirm the long-standing partnership between the studio and Dubai Airports, which began in 2017 and marks a shared commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s ‘Year of Community’, further reinforcing Dubai Airports’ dedication to social inclusion and “creating a welcoming travel experience for all”.
Featuring a mix of abstract, figurative, surrealist and pop-art pieces, the exhibition invites travellers to engage with the artists’ personal stories and perspectives behind each artwork.
Dubai Airports CEO and Mawaheb Ambassador Paul Griffiths said, “The artwork on display challenges perceptions, shifts mindsets and leaves a lasting impression on the millions of travellers who pass through our airport. It’s a powerful reminder that every individual has a unique story to tell, and a voice that deserves to be heard.”
Mawaheb Founder and Managing Director Wemmy de Maaker commented, “This exhibition is a testament to the incredible talent and spirit of our artists. We are so grateful to Dubai Airports for providing such a phenomenal platform for their work.
“Seeing their art displayed in one of the world’s busiest international airports not only gives them a voice but also inspires a sense of possibility in everyone who sees it.”
Griffiths, who was appointed a Mawaheb Ambassador earlier this year, praised the artists for their ‘raw expression’ and ‘fearless use of colour’.
Among the works on display are Kieran Carter’s ‘Shapes of My Mind’, Reikha Kaplani’s ‘Fluttuante’, and Marwan Al Khaja’s gold-leafed ‘Prezioso’.
Other highlights include ‘Leila’s Lillies’ by Leila Murgian, ‘Elegance’ by Saad, and Picasso-inspired pieces by Faran Imitiaz and Namrata Pagarani.
Additional works include Richard Gillam’s ‘Punk 2’, Zaid Jafar’s ‘The Light Inside Me’, Sean McLennon’s ‘Behind the Wall’, and Nitin Bablani’s colourful ‘1000 Shades’. ✈
