4 UAE students' impressive artworks set to come alive on Yas Island

Four students from Dubai and Sharjah will soon see their artworks come to life on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island after winning a sustainable art competition.

Miral, in partnership with Aldar and Creative Lab overseen by Creative Media Authority, hosted the Yas Design Contest to foster creativity among UAE university students by inviting them to submit designs for a pop-up installation.

More than 26 entries from across the country fulfilled the criteria: The designs should be a piece of public art; may act as a backdrop for photos; must tell a story about the UAE; and must be partly or entirely made using eco-friendly materials.

Participants had to share a technical submission with a detailed write-up, a sketch of their design, a visual mood board, and a materials list.

After a thorough evaluation process and a public vote, the trio of Indian students Arfa Abdul Azeem, Shifa Asif, and Gopika Rethikumar from Amity University Dubai, and Egyptian student Radwa Elkasas from Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, were declared as winners.

Arfa, Shifa and Gopika won with their submission titled Habat Al-Lulu, inspired by UAE’s rich history of pearl diving, and Radwa was recognised for her work named Evolving, a photo booth with three panels depicting the nation’s past, present, and future.

Winning teams pocketed a Dh5,000 cash prize and will see their designs built and temporarily placed at select spots on Yas Island, serving as unique backdrops for residents' and tourists' photos.

The students are looking forward to seeing their designs brought to life.

Radwa said she felt incredibly amazing after being named an individual winner. “I feel so proud that I am representing my university in this competition.”

Gopika, Shifa and Arfa noted that winning the contest has been a “great opportunity” for aspiring designers like them.

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