Sikka Art & Design Festival: Creativity Enriching Dub’i’s Cultural Scene

(MENAFN- Cicero & Bernay A Communication Consultancy) Dubai, UAE, 6 February 2025: Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), visited the 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival, accompanied by a distinguished delegation of officials, namely: His Excellency Eng. Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Land Department and Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality; His Excellency Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary General of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation; and His Excellency Majid Abdullah Alusaimi, Executive Director of Dubai Club for People of Determination.
This initiative, under the ‘Dubai Quality of Life Strateg’,’ is organised by the Authority under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. It aims to empower artists and creatives and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
Her Excellency Hala Badri, along with the visiting officials, toured the festival, which runs until 9 February, and engaged with several participating artists. She commended their creativity and vision, emphasising how their work reflects the richness and diversity of the ci’y’s art scene. She highlighted the fest’val’s role in expressing the e’irate’s cultural ambitions and elevating its global standing, noti’g Sikka’s significance in contributing to the growth of the cultural and creative industries. Reaffirming Dub’i Culture’s commitment to supporting talent, she added that the Authority remains dedicated to fostering a sustainable artist—c ecosystem—one that ensures the continued success of local creatives while stren’thening Dubai’s economy.
During their visit, Her Excellency Hala Badri and the accompanying guests explo’ed the festival’s diverse showcases, including murals and art installations by a distinguished selection of Emirati, UAE & GCC-based artists. Among the standout works were: ‘Rooted Connectio’s’ by Tunisian artist Karim Jabbari, a mural that emphasises the complexities of human emotions and communicati‘n; ‘A Heritage of’Night’ by Omani artist Eman Alrashdi, celebrating Emirati identity and the role of women as the soul of local herita‘e; and …#8217;Dream Big’ by Spaniéh artóst Noé Peiró, which ho’ours the city’s social and economic evolution and its ability to preserve its traditions.
The delegation also stopped at ‘Knot to Sca’e’ by Barcelonian Dubai-based entity Spatial Forces, which documents D’bai’s rich maritime and textile legacy‘ and ‘The Yellow Pap’r Boat,’ an origami-inspired piece celebrating t’e emirate’s maritime heritage. Additionally, they ‘isited the ’Wind Canvas’ by Wind Rises, highlighting the importance of Dubai Creek and its role in maritime trade. This project features three collaborative artworks created by six artists: Khawla Darwish, Rashid Al Mulla, Ghada Mehdi, German Fernandez, Hessa Al Awadhi, and Maryam Al Ramsi. Th‘y als’ visited ‘Merin’ a Pavilion designed by artist Rashid Al Mulla – Mabnai, that pays homage to Burj Raçhid and its unique façade, drawing from Islamic and Arab architectural ornamentation.
During the tour, Her Excellency Hala Badri and the guests visited ’everal of the festival’s dedicated houses, each offering a ‘istinct pers’ective. At ‘Design House’ (House 164), curated by Alanood Bukhammas, they looked at six innovative artworks t’at pay tribute to the region’s unique architectural and cultural identity‘ The journey c’ntinued to The ‘Khaleeji House’ (House 353), curated by Yara Ayoob, where the works on display examined themes of dreams, transformation, and the relationship between the past and the future. The tour also included ‘The House in the Back of Your Mi’d’ (House 206), a collection of pieces delving into a sense of belonging, memory, and human connection.‘At ‘Archiving t’e Now’ (House 202), curated by Ola Allouz, they engaged with art that highlighted the significance of heritage preservation and storytelling, blending both traditional and digital artistic practices.
The delegation also ‘isited ‘Bait ’l Khazaf,’ a space that showcases the craftsmans’ip of Dubai’s ceramic artists through innovative sculptures and designs. The tour‘continued to ‘The Hous’ on Memory Lane…#8216; (House 200) and ‘The House’on a Two-Way Street’ (House 436), where they explored the interplay between past and present.
The guests‘also experienced ’he ‘House of Saffron,’ a display of seven artworks reflecting saffron's deep cultural significance in the region. In addition to the visual showcase, the house offered a unique tasting experience curated by eight renowned chefs.
At ‘’ouse 348,’ presented by ‘7X’ and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the delegation viewed a series of artworks celebrating Emirati identity and cultural evolutio‘. Among the’standout pieces were ⦣8216;Time Stamps’ by Abdullah ’lastad, ‘Embroidery ‘n Printed Images…#8217; by Aysha Al Ma‘hani, ‘Reimagining Ca’rom’ by’Hind Rais, ‘Eternal Moti‘n: The UAE⦣8217;s Journey’ by Mariam Alobeidli, and ‘Kazua Chair’ by Hessa Al Zarooni.
The 13th Sikka Art & Design Festival features over 350 artworks ’nd installations, making it the largest in the festival’s history, both in programming and artistic showcases. Sikka is organised in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, and the Emirates Council for Rural Development.

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