Art’s all about exploration, isn’t it? November 9 is celebrated as Go to an Art Museum Day, and many museums around the world participate in the same. We understand that at times, many of us, art enthusiasts and beyond, get intimidated and believe that ‘art is only in museums and galleries’ and hence hold ourselves back from exploring the art. This November, we’re here to change that as local artist Zahra Goulamhoussen shares with us her journey of creating an 11 ft x 10 ft mural, and invites us to take a moment to explore the arts at a theatre community space in Dubai. An art museum or an art gallery is a space for the display of visual art, although it may be used as a venue for performing arts, poetry readings, music concerts, and other artistic activities.

The 11 ft x 10 ft mural takes design inspiration from traditional Indian and Islamic Architecture dating back to the 12th century, and it took Zahra over 250 hours and some very intense ladder-balancing skills to complete the masterpiece in September 2020.
Zahra painted one of her classic ornate lions to transform the entrance lobby of one of Dubai’s theatre spaces for performing arts, The Junction, Alserkal Avenue. “This 11 ft x 10 ft mural is a fusion artwork, which brings the traditional form of mandala design together with a more pop style of ornate line work. The face of the lion has been completed using the stippling technique adding another layer of complexity and depth,” said the local artist, Zahra Goulamhoussen.

Details of the mural :

By: Dubai-based artist Zahra Goulamhoussen

Size: 11 ft x 10 ft

Completed: Duration of over 250 hours

Inspiration: Traditional Indian and Islamic Architecture dating back to the 12th century

At: The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, UAE (Mon-Sat, 10 am-5 pm)