Murals Capturing Tradition, Identity, and Modernity

Among the 13 striking murals, notable works include:

• ‘A Heritage of Night’ by Eman Alrashdi, merging Emirati identity with a Van Gogh-inspired night sky.
• ‘Child’s Play’ by Perryhan El-Ashmawi, portraying childhood joy and creativity.
• ‘Rooted Connections’ by Karim Jabbari, blending Arabic calligraphy and poetry.
• ‘Dream Big’ by Noé Peiró, symbolizing Dubai’s rise from a fishing village to a global city.

Other murals explore urban life, nature, and cultural heritage, showcasing the depth of talent from regional and international artists.

Innovative Sculptures and Installations

Over 40+ installations redefine the landscape, including:

• ‘Shells’ by Dr Mohamed Yousif, depicting Dubai’s coastal history through stone carving.
• ‘Dubai Heart’ by Azza Al Qubaisi, exploring the UAE’s traditions and identity.
• ‘Starry Sky in Dubai’ by Liu Yang, a dynamic light sculpture inspired by celestial movements.
• ‘Moon’ by Mohamed Sahnoun, a calligraphy-adorned marble piece that shifts between full and crescent moon perspectives.

Interactive and Sustainable Art

Artworks like ‘Make-A-Friend’ by Hend Almurid, an installation allowing visitors to build their own sculptures, and ‘Renewal’ by Studio Thirteen X Nordic Homeworx, made from recycled wood, highlight the festival’s focus on community engagement and sustainability.

A Collaborative Effort

The festival is supported by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Civil Defence, ensuring a well-curated cultural experience.

With immersive art, heritage-inspired creations, and futuristic installations, Sikka 2025 cements Dubai’s position as a thriving hub for artistic innovation and cultural storytelling.

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Faitakis’ journey into art began with a passion for graffiti during his teenage years, which later evolved into a more formal exploration of visual arts. He studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he honed his skills and developed his signature style. His early works were deeply influenced by the aesthetics of street art, but he gradually incorporated elements of Byzantine art, such as gold leaf and religious iconography, into his creations. This blend of old and new has become a hallmark of his work, allowing him to stand out in the crowded field of contemporary art.

One of Faitakis’ most notable projects is his participation in the 2011 Venice Biennale, where he created a monumental mural that garnered international acclaim. The piece, titled “The History of Pain,” is a powerful commentary on social and political issues, rendered in a style reminiscent of medieval frescoes. His ability to convey complex narratives through visually striking imagery has made him a sought-after artist for public and private commissions.

In addition to his large-scale murals, Faitakis’ work includes smaller paintings, drawings, and prints, all of which reflect his ongoing and deepening exploration of cultural and historical themes. His art is visually captivating and intellectually engaging, prompting viewers to reflect on the intersections of history, culture, and contemporary life.

Stelios Faitakis continues to live and work in Athens, where he remains an influential figure in the art community. His innovative approach to blending traditional techniques with modern themes has not only made his work resonate with a wide audience in Greece and internationally but has also significantly influenced the contemporary art scene.

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Bright, bold, and brimming with creativity, the festival has seen huge murals spring up across the city centre. The event showcases a dazzling array of artwork, featuring pieces by local and national artists and international talents from Canada, Australia, Brazil, and other parts of the globe.

Artistic Director Izzy Peacock expressed her enthusiasm about the festival’s return, highlighting the calibre of the artists involved. “We are incredibly excited to stage Bring The Paint for the fourth time in Leicester. Our world-class line-up speaks for itself, and we are proud to be working with such an incredible selection of artists. The festival is set to be one of the biggest street art events in the UK this year,” Peacock said.

The festival, which first made its mark on Leicester in 2017, has become a beloved fixture in the city’s cultural calendar. Its impact is still visible through the lasting artworks that adorn the city’s buildings, adding colour and character to urban spaces. Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby expressed his delight at the festival’s return and the ongoing collaboration with Graffwerk, the local organization behind the event.

“Leicester hosted the first Bring The Paint Street Festival event in 2017, and the amazing results of that can still be seen in the city center today. I’m delighted that the city council is sponsoring Graffwerk to bring the event here again this May and look forward to welcoming world-class street artists from around the globe to our city,” Mayor Soulsby stated.

The festival’s significance extends beyond just the visual transformation of the cityscape. It is a cultural melting pot, bringing diverse artists and audiences together and fostering community through art. Visitors and residents alike are treated to a unique visual experience, with each mural telling its own story and contributing to the city’s dynamic artistic narrative.

This year’s festival features a range of activities and events designed to engage the public and encourage participation. Workshops, guided tours, and live painting sessions allow attendees to see the artists in action and gain insight into their creative processes. These interactive elements ensure that Bring The Paint is not just an exhibition but an immersive experience that celebrates the spirit of street art.

The international line-up includes renowned artists such as Brazilian muralist Kobra, known for his large-scale, colourful portraits, and Australian street artist Rone, famous for his hauntingly beautiful depictions of women. Their participation underscores the festival’s reputation as a premier event in the street art world, drawing top talent to Leicester’s streets.

Local artists also play a crucial role in the festival, with many using the platform to showcase their work and connect with a broader audience. The event allows these artists to collaborate with their international peers, fostering a creative exchange that enriches the local art scene.

As Bring The Paint unfolds, the streets of Leicester are expected to draw crowds of art enthusiasts, photographers, and curious onlookers, all eager to witness the city’s transformation. The festival enhances the urban landscape and positions Leicester as a vibrant hub for contemporary street art, celebrating creativity in all its forms.

With its colourful murals and inclusive spirit, the Bring The Paint festival is set to leave an indelible mark on Leicester, inspiring both the community and visitors from afar. As the festival continues through Sunday, May 26th, the city remains a living canvas, showcasing the power of street art to bring buildings – and communities – to life.

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DIFC’s Art Night is a key event in Dubai’s art and culture calendar and transforms the financial hub into a haven for artists. The upcoming 17^th edition will celebrate diversity by encouraging artists to showcase the breadth of their creativity across various mediums and themes.

Local and international artists of all ages and backgrounds can curate a portfolio showing their best works, complete with images, a brief profile and relevant details about each piece. Works can be submitted in various art forms, be it visual arts, painting, sculpture, photography, design, murals or art films. Participants can also take part in interactive workshops, panel talks, music and culinary art at the venue.

Artists need to submit their artwork by 26 February 2024 to artnights@difc.ae. DIFC will review all submissions, selecting the most exceptional works to be featured during the two-day DIFC Art Nights that will run from March 7-8, 6 pm to 10 pm.

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Community Connection:

Murals often serve as a communal canvas, transforming public spaces into dynamic galleries. Artists engage with local communities to capture the essence of a neighborhood, reflecting its diversity, history, and collective identity.

Social Commentary:

Many murals serve as visual critiques, addressing social, political, and environmental issues. Street artists worldwide utilize this medium to spark conversations and challenge societal norms, creating a powerful dialogue between the artwork and the viewer.

Technological Innovations:

With advancements in technology, muralists are incorporating new techniques and materials into their work. From augmented reality elements to interactive murals, artists are pushing boundaries and embracing innovation, adding an immersive dimension to their creations.

Global Collaboration:

Murals often transcend geographical boundaries, with artists collaborating across borders to create large-scale, impactful works of art. This global exchange of ideas and styles enriches the mural art scene, fostering a sense of interconnectedness within the artistic community.

Environmental Impact:

Some muralists are championing eco-friendly practices by using sustainable materials and techniques. Additionally, they often engage with environmental themes, drawing attention to ecological challenges and the importance of conservation.

Urban Regeneration:

Murals play a crucial role in urban revitalization efforts. Cities worldwide are commissioning artists to transform neglected spaces into vibrant cultural hubs, attracting tourists and fostering a sense of pride within local communities.

Celebrating Diversity:

Murals celebrate cultural diversity by incorporating elements from different traditions, folklore, and histories. Artists use this medium to amplify underrepresented voices, creating a visual tapestry that reflects the multiplicity of human experience.

Temporary vs. Permanent:

While some are intended to be permanent fixtures in urban landscapes, others embrace the impermanence of street art. Festivals and events often feature temporary murals, highlighting the transient nature of this evolving art form.

Economic Impact:

Beyond their cultural significance, murals can contribute to local economies by attracting tourism and promoting businesses in the surrounding areas. Cities recognize the economic benefits of a vibrant mural scene and actively support public art initiatives.

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In the 1990s, as graffiti began to gain popularity in Portugal, Odeith had his first encounter with the movement. His talent started to evolve as he began to paint large-scale murals in various neighborhoods. He soon developed a distinct style called “sombre 3D,” which emphasized perspective and shading, bringing realism and technique to his compositions, whether landscapes, portraits, messages, or homages.

In 2005, Odeith’s artistic breakthrough came with his groundbreaking incursions into anamorphic art, where he painted compositions in perspective on different surfaces, such as 90º corners or from the wall to the floor, creating an optical illusion effect. This technique earned him international acclaim and recognition, establishing him as one of the most innovative street artists of his generation.

After closing his tattoo studio in 2008, Odeith moved to London to focus on painting as his primary activity. Since then, he has created large-scale murals for several national and international companies, including London Shell, Kingsmill, Coca-Cola, and Samsung, amongst others. He has also worked with various city halls, such as Câmara Municipal de Lisboa and Câmara Municipal de Oeiras, amongst others.

Odeith has also participated in numerous events, including the Meeting of Styles in Germany, the Museum of Public Art in Louisiana, the MuBE – Brazilian Museum for Sculpture in São Paulo, and the 1st Bienal del Sur in Panama, and the Berardo Collection Museum’s 2nd-anniversary party.

In conclusion, Odeith is an accomplished street artist who has significantly contributed to the world of anamorphic art. His unique style, technical skills, and innovation have earned him international recognition and respect in the art community. Today, he continues to create breathtaking murals, captivating audiences with his art wherever he goes.

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The first of the murals, featuring a couple dancing atop a bus shelter and a man playing an accordion, was spotted in Great Yarmouth, followed by one showing an arcade toy-grabber crane that appeared in the nearby town of Gorleston. More artworks—one depicting a child building a sandcastle with a crowbar in Lowestoft, the other featuring three children in a boat in Oulton Broad—soon arrived.

In an unusual move for the graffiti artist, Banksy also left a miniature thatched stable bearing his signature at the Merrivale Model Village.

In the short film posted to Instagram, titled “A Great British Spraycation,” the artist is shown finishing a mural of a rat sipping a cocktail.

The post helped bring attention to some of the more innocuous murals created during the art-making spree, such as an ice cream cone and tongue added to a statue of Frederick Savage, a 19th century mayor of King’s Lynn. The film also captures the reaction of passersby, with one local calling Banksy’s mural of the girl building a sandcastle “mindless vandalism.”

One of the murals from this prolific period is already gone. Earlier this week, a Banksy mural depicting two children on an inflatable dinghy was taken off view by local authorities in Great Yarmouth. Council members in the town told the BBC that the artwork was covered up amid “sensitivity” to a young girl who died after being flung from an inflatable trampoline on a nearby beach in 2018. The Great Yarmouth Borough Council said concealing the work was “the right decision, respecting local people and feelings.”

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Located on the upper walls of the cathedral’s southern transept, the murals were hidden for centuries behind layers of overpaint until they were uncovered during a restoration effort in the 1930s. In 2009, the roof of the church underwent renovation, allowing researchers the opportunity to clean and study the frescoes for the first time, whereupon they learned that the pictures were likely painted shortly after the church was built.

Though heavily faded, conservators believe that one of the murals illustrates the execution of John the Baptist, the preacher thought to have baptised Jesus, while the other depicts his burial. A third painting portraying the saint’s birth may have been destroyed with the construction of a Gothic window in the 14th century.

The frescoes recall those located in the Church of Saint George on the southern German island of Reichenau, which are also believed to have been painted around the dawn of the 11th century. The island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 in part because of the significance of its murals.  

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