Dubai Walls Festival Brings International Street Art to the Middle East
Dubai Walls, a street art festival, aims to challenge stereotypes of Dubai by bringing 15 international artists from five continents to create murals in the City Walk complex. The festival, funded by Meraas holding, features artists such as Blek le Rat, Ron English, ROA, Etam Cru, Slinkachu, and Magda Sayeg. Ron English reimagined Picasso's Guernica with Mickey Mouse and Tony the Tiger. The works are permanent and intended to boost tourism and Dubai's cultural standing. However, the event has been criticized as a marketing tool, as it is located within a new shopping and entertainment district and did not involve local artists.
Key facts
- Dubai Walls is a street art festival in Dubai, UAE.
- The festival involved 15 international artists from five continents.
- Artists include Blek le Rat, Ron English, ROA, Etam Cru, Slinkachu, Magda Sayeg, and Aiko.
- Ron English created a version of Picasso's Guernica featuring Mickey Mouse and Tony the Tiger.
- The festival was funded by Meraas holding, chaired by Abdulla Al Habbai.
- The murals are located in the City Walk complex, a new shopping and entertainment center.
- The works are permanent and intended to attract tourists.
- The festival has been criticized for not including local artists and being a marketing initiative.
Entities
Artists
- Blek le Rat
- Ron English
- ROA
- Etam Cru
- Slinkachu
- Beau Stanton
- Ben Eine
- D*Face
- Eelus
- Nick Walker
- The London Police
- Rone
- Icy and Sot
- Magda Sayeg
- Aiko
- Pablo Picasso
- Andy Warhol
Institutions
- Meraas
- City Walk
- Artribune
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Middle East