The Protectors III Series 2018
This trio of portraits portrays the founder of the U.A.E, our beloved Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan rest his soul along side his sons our current President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and our Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This unique, contemporary and bold series works as individual pieces as well as a unified whole, with the background linking the pieces creating a surreal panoramic desert landscape. The U.A.E. originated from a tribal Bedouin society that grew from the desert. The desert setting reflects the deep connection that Sheikh Zayed had with nature and his oneness with his people. The landscape, rocks and sand dunes are exquisitely embellished with Arabic calligraphy reflecting powerful quotations by the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, combined with carefully selected words from Asma Allah Al Husna, which is the 99 beautiful names of God in Islam, which have the most powerful meanings and are used for healing when reaffirmed.
Sheikh Zayed’s quotations on the sand dunes and rocks, represent the core values he has embedded into our nation, creating strong foundations and roots enabling huge growth and vision for his people. Sheikh Zayed’s quotations spread across into his son’s portraits reflecting how his values live on through them and continue to shape our nation to this day.
On either side of his sons’ portraits the landscapes grow upwards into mountains symbolizing our ever-evolving nation. The midnight blue used for the background represents the desert night skies. The rich vibrant palette used for the landscape reflects all that Sheikh Zayed has bought to our nation through his powerful leadership, vision, open heartedness, family values and generosity and the huge inspiration he is not just to the U.A.E but also globally.
The halo around H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan is one of the most powerful verses from the Quran reflecting his spirituality and connection. The halo behind Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed says “ Al Ra’aof” which means the compassionate and has been carefully selected from “Asma Allah Al Husna” which are the 99 beautiful names of God in Islam. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed’s halo says “Al muhayman” which aptly means the protector, also from the 99 names of God in Islam. The halo’s symbolizes the strong spiritual connection and vibration of love running through Sheikh Zayed and his sons, and how blessed we are to have them as leaders over our Nation. The Halo’s represent the light radiating from our leaders past , present and living on into the future.
“Our experience in the United Arab Emirates is the shining proof that unity and synergy are the source of all power and elevation and pride” – H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
