The portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE founding father, painted by the Elygraf, a Dubai-based Filipino artist, has found its permanent place at Emirates Group Headquarters’ atrium in Dubai.
Elygraf’s painting pays homage to and celebrates the legacy of the founding father as part of the celebration of the “Year of Zayed”.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, unveiled a specially commissioned art piece of Elygraf which is named ‘From the Heart of Zayed’.
Elygraf took to his social media account to express his excitement and gratefulness over the unveiling of his artwork.
“As an artist, I wish not to show my personal identity, but with the honor of sharing this event with H.H. Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, together with the mastermind Rashid Omair, I could never have missed this celebration for H.H. Sheikh Zayed. Thank you,” he wrote.
He also posted photos and videos of the unveiling on his Instagram Story.
The art piece used a variety of techniques and materials to portray of the late Sheikh Zayed. Elygraf used acrylic paint on stretched canvas and the art piece took him 20 days to complete.
Its colour palette was inspired by a spectrum of the earthy tones found throughout the UAE, complemented by the use of gold leaf symbolising the regal embroidery in traditional Emirati bishts.
