"I was born and raised in Dubai, and left for Australia at the age of 21 for eight years. But every year I visited home, I saw a new project spring up. The city was changing rapidly. At an exhibition I attended during my visit home one winter, a friend introduced me to an artist. When I told her ‘I am from Dubai but currently living abroad’, she commented, ‘What are you doing there? Come back, it’s all happening here.’ Her words resonated with me – I returned in 2013, and now I’m rediscovering Dubai. As an infographic artist and typology photographer, I decided to document the urban characteristics of Dubai over the next decade. My dream is to publish it as a book.
I love Dubai’s blend of Arabic culture with other cultures. The arty district of Al Quoz shaped up lately, and now there are a lot of art galleries and cultural events in the city. Shiny signage on streets and alleys intrigue me as a subject. While old shopping areas like Karama still exist, malls have become an intrinsic part of Dubai's success as a shopping destination. My personal favorite is Dubai mall. It houses international stores like Eataly and Kinokuniya. Since I end up going to the multiplexes more often now, I really miss going to the old standalone cinemas. One downside of multiple cultures is the diverse styles of driving, which has made driving in the city a nightmare, especially during peak hours. The financial crisis, a few years ago, hit this city very hard but Dubai has a certain ‘move on’ mentality, so it is now a thing of the past. I am constantly on the move too and I think it’s a way of life I share with this city.”