Jack Lee discusses life as an artist and Sheikha Fatima Park’s dog mural.
PARTNER CONTENT: Chinese artist Jack Lee is well known across the UAE for creating art that showcases local culture and now his famous dog mural is very much part of the community at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikha Fatima Park.
Jack, tell our readers a little about yourself.
I am from Fujian, a province in China, which is known for its mountains and coastal cities. I moved to the UAE 17 years ago and worked as a designer at first. I’m also a lecturer in the fine arts at universities, including the Cultural Foundation, and give private lessons, including to members of the Royal Family. I have an art shop on Airport Road, which has a studio where I paint and rooms upstairs where I offer workshops.
What urban projects have you worked on across the city?
Commissioned by Abu Dhabi Municipality, I painted murals last year across Abu Dhabi, such as the one that is emblazoned on the columns and the underside of a motorway bridge and raised highway on Musaffah Road. With scenes of nature such as trees and a sky filled with birds, the mural has turned concrete into a thing of beauty.
Tell me about the latest art project that you are working on in Sheikha Fatima Park. What does it entail?
Well, IMKAN invited me to work on a project themed around pets. It was aimed at pet lovers because IMKAN had recently opened Abu Dhabi’s first ever Pet Zone where dogs can be with their owners. The thought made me happy and I wanted to create a mural that is eye catching, unique and interactive, which both pet lovers and park goers will find exciting. The dogs featured in the mural are cute and are looking down into the park wondering what is happening there. To make it interactive, I attached ropes to mimic a dog’s leash so people can grab it as if they are leading the dogs into the park. I have decided to call it ‘Curious Puppies’.
How do you think park-goers will react to this stunning mural featuring loveable pets?
I have already seen when park-goers first set eyes on it, they gasp and go ‘Oh wow! This is so cute’. It gives a sense of community and brings people together through relatable and unique artwork. They find it interesting and they love it. It somehow connects people as the mural is painted in 3D effect, so they can come together and take photos standing next to it.
How does this project translate into IMKAN’s commitment of providing soulful places that enrich people’s lives?
Take for example this mural that I have painted, it mirrors the ethos that IMKAN wants to impart which is to create a space that is fun and relaxing for the people and the mural that I painted also does the same thing. It’s about doing more for the people and adding to their wellbeing too. IMKAN cares about the small details that help enrich the lives of the people.
How does the artwork build on and add to the community ethos of Sheika Fatima Park?
Art is a part of life. The mural is for everybody; it’s easy to absorb and to be part of everyday life. It is accessible for all and park-goers are able to be part of the artwork by interacting with it and enjoying it. Likewise, the park is for everybody to enjoy and be part of, serving the entire community.
Check out Jack’s work by visiting his Instagram account @jacklee.art and for more information about the park, visit sheikhafatimapark.com
