Sheikh Nahyan opens the world’s largest mural in Dubai

Dubai, April 29, 2012 (WAM) - Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, opened yesterday the largest mural in the world, done by the Lebanese artist Souheil Madi, in Gloria Hotel Dubai. Dr. Ghaith Bin Hamel Al Ghaith, Vice Chairman of Al Ghaith Holding and the number of the governing body of Gloria Hotel and a group of dignitaries and a number of media personalities, attended the opening ceremony. The artist, Souheil Madi, mentioned that his mural "Caravan of Women" is the largest of its kind in the world, and will be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. "I drew the painting on the roof of the eighth floor in Gloria Hotel, which consists of 41 floors. The painting can be seen from high altitudes and helicopters", Madi said: "It is a giant flat 3D painting that lies on a space of approximately 1700 meter square". According to the artist, the "Caravan of Women" represents the Camel caravans that used to pass through the Arabian Peninsula desert with women on board. The goal behind this painting is to honour mother, wife, daughter, and sister. Madi pointed out to the size of the board and the short time it was completed to qualify for registration in the Guinness Book of World Records, said that the largest flat-panel registered in the encyclopaedia did not reach this standard. From his perspective, Dr. Ghaith Al Ghaith, pointed out that the hotel residents enjoy seeing this giant work of art, which reflects the cultures and history of the United Arab Emirates. It also shows how much the country cares for the arts and the artists, as the painting is now the newest tourist landmark in Dubai. Dr. Al Ghaith mentioned the efforts spent by the hotel to supply all needed items to finish this painting as a personal move for supporting the artistic movement, and to add a new landmark for tourists. It is worth mentioning that the Lebanese painter Souheil developed the foundations of a technique bears his name included 894 of art lovers from around the world, the first Arab artist drawing boards palace of Napoleon III in France. – Emirates News Agency, WAM