Dubai’s premier fresh food market, The Waterfront Market, and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority have announced the winner of the sixth edition of the Murals and Art Competition “Art for Change.”
The competition aligned with COP28’s vision for a sustainable world, and celebrated the “Year of Sustainability,” where inspiring artists were encouraged to create impactful murals to use as a catalyst for positive environmental change.
Jayson Soberon awarded Dhs30,000 prize
In a ceremony attended by Dr Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Khalil Abdulwahid Hassan, Director of the Fine Arts Department at Dubai Culture, and Mohammad Al Madani, Waterfront Market Associate Director, the winning Filipino artist, Jayson Soberon, was awarded the Dhs30,000 prize unanimously for his work titled “Sustainability.”
Jayson Soberon, artist and graphic designer and winner of the Murals & Art Competition 2023 said: “I am happy and honoured that my artwork has been recognised and my mural will be displayed permanently at the Waterfront Market, celebrating the Year of Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates and praising the ongoing environmental efforts.
Inspired from this year’s UAE slogan for Sustainability “Today for tomorrow,” my design illustrates sustainability themes such as renewable energy, affordable food, water conservation, recycling and economic growth. It highlights how our present actions can contribute to the country’s sustainable development goals and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Sustainability in focus
Khalil Abdulwahid Hassan, Director of the Fine Arts Department at Dubai Culture, said: “Dubai Culture is dedicated to fostering an environment where art and sustainability flourish in unison. Today, we celebrate the artistic ability of Jayson Soberon, but also the profound message his mural embodies.
Projects like this can help ensure that the narrative of conservation and care is further woven into the fabric of our society. There is a great power in art that we are always keen to tap into as Dubai further makes its voice heard as a global centre of culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.”
Mohammad Al Madani, Waterfront Market Associate Director, said: “In this year’s Murals competition, our emphasis was on inspiring artists to catalyze positive societal change and raise awareness about environmental issues. The submissions were truly remarkable, showcasing diverse perspectives on ongoing efforts and future directions for ensuring environmental well-being. Jayson’s artwork particularly stood out, skillfully highlighting various sustainable themes. We are proud to collaborate with Dubai Culture on this competition to provide a platform for artists to unite, fostering discussions and driving impactful positive change in our communities.”
Celebrating its sixth year, The Waterfront Market’s Murals and Art Competition strives to ignite inspiration within the community, fostering participation from budding artists and art enthusiasts across the UAE, and promoting engagement within the broader creative community.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
