ME by Meliá Dubai proudly unveils EMIRATI ART AT ME, the first in its newly launched Medad exhibition series, curated by Emirati creative Abdulla Khalid Al Shamsi. A passionate advocate for storytelling through space and experience, Al Shamsi brings together four multidisciplinary Emirati artists whose works, spanning embroidery, weaving, painting, photography, and film, reflect the evolving language of local heritage. Designed to be felt as much as seen, Medad blends atmosphere with narrative, honouring tradition while pushing the boundaries of contemporary cultural expression.
Medad translates to “ink” in Arabic, a name chosen to symbolise the lasting imprint of storytelling and cultural legacy. The exhibition invites guests and visitors to experience a new chapter of contemporary Emirati art, brought to life inside one of Dubai’s most design-driven hotels. As a space where creativity, culture, and community meet, ME by Meliá Dubai continues to serve as a platform for local talent, offering thoughtful perspectives within a luxury lifestyle setting.
Featured Artists Include:
- Maitha Abdullah Al Remeithi, a photographer, filmmaker, and director from Dubai, brings cinematic depth and emotional resonance to her work. A graduate of Zayed University, Maitha’s imagery captures fleeting moments and everyday rituals, transforming them into visual stories that reflect both the soul of the UAE and the universality of human experience.
- Faris Al Hammadi, a visual artist, educator, and founder of Faris Al Hammadi Fine Arts Studio, is recognised for his expressive oil portraits and nature-inspired works. With a practice rooted in traditional techniques and pigment extraction, Faris bridges the academic and the emotional, layering his pieces with identity, memory, and craftsmanship.
- Elham Khairalla, a Dubai-based visual artist, researcher, and co-founder of Sjadna weaving centre, focuses on preserving and reimagining traditional craft. Her work explores themes of femininity, environment, and generational legacy through tactile forms, transforming weaving into a living dialogue between past and present.
- Dana Hisham Aljneibi, an embroidery artist from Sharjah, transforms thread into language. Her detailed needlework reinterprets architecture, geometry, and rhythm into contemporary stitched canvases. Dana’s work repositions embroidery as a modern visual art form, intimate, layered, and deeply personal.
EMIRATI ART AT ME, Medad – Edition 1 runs this summer at ME by Meliá Dubai, offering guests and the community a glimpse into UAE creativity and marking the start of the hotel’s ongoing commitment to regional cultural expression.
About ME by Meliá Dubai
ME by Meliá Dubai is a 5-star hotel located in the Burj Khalifa district within the iconic Opus building, designed by the late Zaha Hadid. As the only hotel to be designed both externally and internally by Hadid, the property is a testament to her visionary approach to architecture. Known for her bold, futuristic designs, Hadid’s signature fluid curves and nature-inspired forms are integrated throughout the hotel, creating a seamless fusion of organic shapes and modern refinement. The result is an architectural masterpiece that reflects her pioneering spirit and continues to inspire all who visit.
The hotel offers 93 luxurious rooms and 13 residences and is recognised by Michelin Hotels. It also offers a diverse selection of world-class dining options. Central Restaurant, managed by the hotel, sits alongside renowned outsourced venues such as The Maine, ROKA, Sfumato, Soirée, Salmon Guru, and Le Relais de L’Entrecôte. In 2025, the culinary portfolio will expand further with the launch of Revolver and Maison Dali, bringing even more exceptional dining experiences to guests.
In addition to its exceptional dining, ME by Meliá Dubai features Maria German Flowers & Home an in-house flower and home decor shop and Memoir a salon, providing added convenience and elegance. Other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, wellness centre and spa, a 7000 sq. ft. fitness centre, and a kids’ club. The hotel also emphasizes sustainability, striving to reduce its environmental impact while delivering personalized service in a creative, inspiring environment for guests.
Located in the heart of Dubai, ME by Meliá Dubai combines striking design, world-class service, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a top destination for those seeking a unique and memorable experience.
About ME by Meliá
Located in global cultural epicenters, ME by Meliá is a collection of design hotels and is part of the larger lifestyle hotel group of Meliá Hotels International. Each of these properties aim to discover contemporary culture through the lens of their bold, charismatic personality. ME by Meliá brings destination, design and service together to deliver personal, enriching experiences for the stylish modern traveller. A stay at one of our hotels is more than just a vacation or a visit, it’s an immersion in architecture, design, gastronomy and art that few can match.
Contemporary culture is part of who we are. We express its creativity and energy in every aspect of our hotel experience. ME by Meliá hotels thrive on the sensorial connection to their settings – the visual stimuli, the taste of exquisite local food, the uplifting culture of its citizens and cultural leaders. Embedded within each hotel´s ecosystem is a community of artists, influencers, creatives and technologies that raise the hotel to a must-see, and must-stay, destination for those who yearn for inspiration and energy. There are currently eight hotels in the portfolio across Europe, Middle East, The Americas and Mexico, including ME Dubai, ME Milan Il Duca, ME London, ME Ibiza, ME Barcelona, ME Malta, ME Sitges and ME Cabo. Upcoming openings include ME Lisbon and ME Marbella, set to launch in the coming months. Follow ME by Meliá on Instagram @me_by_melia and Facebook mebymelia. www.mebymelia.com.
