‘One Nation’ Brings Art to Boxpark

Boxpark by Dubai Retail prepares to mark the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad with a powerful artistic transformation that turns the destination into a living gallery. The initiative, titled ‘One Nation’, unfolds across the urban landscape from 28 November through December, inviting residents and visitors to experience a creative journey shaped by identity, colour and cultural pride. This moment begins as Boxpark continues its evolution into one of Dubai’s emerging art-forward hubs, and the new takeover stands as the first in a series dedicated to amplifying local talent.

Leading the showcase is acclaimed Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej, celebrated for the calligraphy that graces the Museum of the Future. His latest work, ‘Constitution’, takes centre stage as a limited-time kinetic sculpture rising between three and six metres in polished stainless steel. Inspired by the values embedded in the UAE Constitution, the piece reflects the nation’s spiritual foundations and its deep connection to culture. Through movement and form, it embodies the balance between tradition and innovation that characterises the country’s creative spirit.

Mattar Bin Lahej

Alongside this, two permanent murals enrich the destination’s distinctive industrial backdrop. A self-taught artist from Sharjah Rashid Al Mulla, whose mural ‘Tiny Stories – Big Dreams’ draws from folklore, surreal narratives and the timeless rhythm of Emirati life. His sketch-like style depicts a nation rooted in heritage yet reaching confidently for the future, illustrated through imagery such as palm trees transforming into solar panels and camels journeying from the desert towards the cosmos.

Rashid Al Mulla

Noor Al Khamiri, whose background blends architectural engineering with artistic passion, contributes ‘The Spirit Within’, a mural characterised by playful imagery and vibrant colours. Through her quirky and modern illustration style, Noor captures the rich Emirati culture, featuring an Emirati woman adorned with traditional motifs and national symbols, symbolising the harmony between heritage and innovation thriving in today’s UAE.

Noor Al Khamiri

Together, these works reshape Boxpark into a space where art serves as both expression and gathering point. As the murals become permanent features and the kinetic sculpture takes its temporary bow, the destination reinforces its growing reputation as a platform for creativity and community engagement. ‘One Nation’ invites all who enter to experience the meeting of tradition and contemporary imagination, offering a vibrant tribute to unity at a moment of national celebration.