Dubai becomes canvas for world’s leading 3D artists
dubai — As a teen he would notoriously tag the walls of his hometown in Portugal with graffiti, now he’s showing his paintings all around the world — including this week at the Dubai Canvas 3D Art Festival.
Nelson Marques is one among 25 artists who have been selected to show their masterpieces at the festival. The artists are also finalists of the Dubai Canvas 3D Art Award by Brand Dubai, which has a Dh2.3 million prize. The theme of this year’s award required artists to create a painting with a theme of happiness.
Marques, who goes by the artist name KAS, is displaying a 3D art painting of an Arab child holding spray cans inside a jigsaw puzzle piece. He believes that Dubai is slowly becoming the art capital of the world.
The 36-year-old said: “I started off doing graffiti in 1999 and later on I started working for international companies to produce graffiti projects for them. I have taken part in several art exhibitions around the world, including Italy, Greece, Malta, France and Belgium. This is my first time in Dubai and I can see that Dubai could be the next big destination for art lovers.
“The city has graffiti, but not the dirty kind. It is a very clean city and it has quality art. You don’t see tagging on the streets, but eloquent and quality art – that’s the best kind. It makes the city look beautiful and attracts tourists.”
Tomoteru Saito from Japan is displaying a 3D art piece of bicycles flying over the skyline of Dubai.
Saito, who’s been painting for 20 years, has painted all over Europe, Asia and the US. It’s his second time taking part in the festival.
“I’ve been riding bicycles since I was a kid and I always have dreams of flying, so I decided to create a painting of bicycle with wings, flying over Dubai.
“This city has a lot to offer when it comes to art. Just take a look at this festival — there are so many artists from all over the world. It shows that art is important in this country and is appreciated by the people.”
An Emirati artist, Asma Yaaqoub Al Khoori, also made it as one of the finalists for the award. The 21-yearold painter painted the skyline of Dubai surrounded by clouds.
Al Khoori said she wanted to show Dubai from an aerial view because it gives people “a happy feeling”.
“Dubai looks beautiful from this view and I think it makes people happy,” she said.
The painters are showcasing their paintings at Dubai City Walk from March 1 to 7. Entry to the festival is free of charge.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com