Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Famous sand artist Nathaniel Alapide has created another memorable giant mural and this time the spotlight is on the Saadiyat Island beach in Abu Dhabi.
The Dubai-based Filipino has created more than a thousand drawings since he struck fame in 2014 when he built a giant tree in the memory of his grandmother on the Umm Suqeim Beach.
The latest effort of his in Abu Dhabi is bound to go down as one of his most recognisable work with a gazelle breaking out of a round formation. Commissioned by the Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, the circular artwork has a turtle, dolphins, and waves under a design that resembles the top of the adjacent Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.
Bringing a stunning transformation to Saadiyat Island, Alapide’s artistry captivates the senses of the destination while elevating the coastal experience. True to his reputation, Alapide has elevated it by leaving his mark yet again on the shores and deserts of the UAE.
A Guinness World Record-holder for his works on the beach canvases of the region, Alapide has created broad, black calligraphic strokes, rendering huge and complex designs that are temporary by nature.
Meticulously crafted by him, the sand grains have come together to paint a vivid portrait of Saadiyat Island’s pristine beaches and azure waters, as the epitome of relaxation and tranquility.
“I try to really imagine the rake as a brush,” he said earlier this year in an interview to CNN. “When you move it at a certain angle it will give a different stroke, a thinner line.”
“Sometimes I’ll do a work that will take an hour,” he said. “Or sometimes I work every day for hours to create.”
When he includes a written message, as he has done for the Saadiyat Island Rotana Resort, the pieces can be more than 100 metres long at times.
The mural is on a sand canvas which is 15 square metres big, and this effort by Alapide took about 48 hours or two days to make.
Venturing deeper into the artistic creation while inviting guests to witness the mural among other things at the Abu Dhabi venue, a statement from the resort said: “The piece mirrors Saadiyat Island’s steadfast dedication to wildlife conservation. Illustrations of sea turtles and dolphins come to life, their graceful movements seamlessly etched into the artwork.
“The inclusion of gazelles adds another layer to the artwork; their elegant presence harmonising with the natural landscape of the destination. Nathaniel captures the essence of the island’s coastal beauty, using gentle strokes to convey the rhythmic movements of the waves along the shoreline. Beyond celebrating the individuality of each landmark, the masterpiece skillfully unites them into a cohesive visual narrative.”
