Explore Abu Dhabi’s public sculptures

Abu Dhabi’s artistic credentials speak for themselves. From international museums to numerous local institutions, art lovers have plenty of places to find inspiration in the city.

But a stroll through the capital’s public areas is as good as any museum tour, with public art and sculpture dotted all over the city.

Yas Island Newly Opened Yas Bay Yes Home to several impressive installmentsseveral of which were specially created by internationally renowned artists.

Renowned New York artist Kaws, real name Brian Donnelly, is known for his interpretations of pop culture icons, including Mickey Mouse and Snoopy, last days Road to public art for the region. It features his iconic cartoon character with crossed eyes and twisted mouth.

By the sea, visitors to Yas Bay can also see a 10-meter-tall golden flower sculpture by one of Japan’s most prominent contemporary artists, Takashi Murakami.

flower parent and child The installation, which features Takashi Murakami’s iconic gold leaf work, is one of his largest to date. Decorated with flower motifs on all four sides of the sculpture, the piece is intended to represent hope.

Yas Bay too newcomer Sculpture, a giant head emerges from the water. With the steps on the waterfront as a backdrop, the concrete artwork is also known as giant And has an eight-meter-tall bronze-colored head and two oversized hands. Partially submerged in the Arabian Gulf, the sculpture was designed to withstand salt water, heat and humidity.

Other works from well-known artists include CoolRainLabo, responsible for the four Astrocat An installation across from the destination’s waterfront, and Fatspatrol, the Indian-Canadian street artist who created the giant mural Humanity Near the Etihad Arena.

Other works around Yas Bay include installations by artists Supakitch, MonkeyBird and Beastman, who have all turned substations into colourful canvases.

Elsewhere in the city, visitors to Masdar City’s Central Park will see a giant camel sculpture towering high among the greenery. The camel is made of twisted metal with an elongated middle section that appears to be stretched.

Scroll through the galleries above to see more public art in Abu Dhabi

Updated: September 9, 2022 at 6:01 pm