In a nation built on vision, resilience, and unity, few artists have captured the spirit of the United Arab Emirates with as much depth and poetic reverence as Abdul Qader Al Rais. His monumental artwork, dedicated to the union of the seven Emirates, stands today as one of the most powerful visual tributes to the UAE’s foundation, an immersive canvas where heritage, memory, and national pride converge.
Commissioned by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and now housed at the Etihad Museum, the painting is both a celebration and a meditation: a masterwork that translates the story of a nation into a symphony of color, texture, and symbolism.
A Nation Written in Colour
Al Rais anchors the composition in a radiant palette of yellow, blue, and earthy browns, the very colours of the Emirates’ landscapes. The warmth of the desert, the clarity of the sea, and the rugged strength of the mountains coexist harmoniously, reminding viewers of the land that has sustained its people for generations.
The stylized map of the UAE at the heart of the piece becomes more than geography; it becomes a living tapestry of identity. The glowing yellows recall endless dunes, while deep blues evoke the waters that nourished pearling communities and shaped early livelihoods. Every stroke becomes a testament to the relationship between the land and those who call it home.
Symbols Rooted in Heritage
On the left of the canvas, a towering palm tree trunk emerges, its presence quiet yet commanding. For Al Rais, the palm is more than a botanical form; it is a cultural emblem of endurance, nourishment, and the life force that allowed desert communities to thrive against all odds. Its placement signifies the strength that has carried the Emirates through time.
Running through the painting is Al Rais’s iconic Arabic calligraphy, weaving language and legacy together. His script becomes a river of memory, honouring the foundations of Emirati civilization, and celebrating Arabic as both a cultural treasure and a poetic art form.
In a deeply meaningful gesture, the artist inscribes the names of the Founding Fathers who signed the 1971 Union Agreement on the left, acknowledging the visionary leaders who transformed a dream of unity into a nation. On the right, the names of the seven Emirates stand proudly, each representing a unique identity bound together by shared purpose. At the heart of it all lies a single word rendered with reverence: Unity. Positioned at the centre, it serves as the conceptual and emotional anchor of the artwork, an affirmation of the principle upon which the country was built.
A Monument to the Spirit of the UAE
Displayed at the Etihad Museum, the very site dedicated to telling the story of the nation’s birth, Al Rais’s masterpiece becomes a powerful introduction to the UAE’s most defining moment. It welcomes visitors into a narrative of courage, collaboration, and hope, a reminder that the soul of the country lies not only in its rapid progress, but also in its deep-rooted heritage.
The Vision of a Master Artist
Considered one of the UAE’s most influential and beloved artists, Abdul Qader Al Rais has ascended to international acclaim for his ability to transform heritage into contemporary visual language. His abstract oil paintings, distinguished by geometric precision and lyrical calligraphy, stand alongside his atmospheric watercolours that celebrate traditional Emirati architecture and nature.
With more than 30 solo exhibitions across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, and participation in landmark showcases such as the 56th Venice Biennale and Past Forward: Contemporary Art from the Emirates in Washington, D.C., Al Rais remains a central figure in the UAE’s cultural narrative. His works, housed in prestigious collections including the British Museum, Mathaf, the Kuwait Museum of Modern Art, and the Sharjah Art Museum, continue to inspire audiences around the world.
A Legacy Painted for Generations
This extraordinary artwork at Etihad Museum is more than a painting, it is a cultural monument. Through abstraction, symbolism, and a palette rooted in the soul of the land, Al Rais immortalizes the birth of a nation and invites viewers to experience the UAE through the eyes of one of its greatest artistic storytellers.
A masterpiece of unity, memory, and identity, it stands as a tribute not only to the seven Emirates, but to the shared journey that continues to define the nation today.