Once a familiar Jumeirah landmark, the former Dubai Zoo is being revisited through artist Solimar Miller’s new public artwork, exploring the memories, landscapes and stories connected to the site.

Before Dubai’s skyline transformed and new landmarks emerged, the Dubai Zoo was a place where generations made memories. Though the Jumeirah attraction has since closed, its stories continue to live on. Commissioned by Shamal, Solimar Miller’s artwork explores the memories and natural landscape connected to the site, inviting the community to reconnect with a familiar piece of Dubai’s past.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Solimar Miller (@solimar_____)

Located on the site of the former Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah, Shamal features Flora of Light – an exhibition with 12 original artworks by Solimar Miller across a 710-metre canvas. Inspired by the UAE’s indigenous flora, fauna and changing landscapes, the installation reflects on the memories connected to this historic corner of Dubai.

What’s On caught up with Solimar Miller to discover the story behind the project, her connection to this iconic Dubai location, and what she hopes visitors will feel when they encounter the artwork.

What’s On (WO): The former Dubai Zoo holds a special place in the memories of many residents. What was it like translating that sense of nostalgia into a contemporary public art installation? 

Solimar Miller (SM): It was an amazing experience initially being approached by Shamal to capture and honour the memory of the former zoo site in Jumeirah, which holds a lot of memories for the local community, as well as people who have lived in Dubai for many, many years.

I wanted to honour the site by documenting all the trees and plants that inhabited that space and the region. I also documented the animals that are native to this land and inhabited the land even before the site was built and the history of how the landscape changed throughout the decades in Dubai.

WO: Your artwork celebrates the UAE’s indigenous flora and fauna. Which elements of the local landscape inspired you most, and why were they important to include in this project?

SM: It’s hard to pick a favourite area of Dubai. I think every area of Dubai, such as Nad Al Sheba, Khawaneej, Hatta, Jumeirah, Barsha, Al Manara – there’s something special in every landscape of Dubai.

When I travelled through the land and traced where the trees are growing, every tree has its own story; they have a different character…  So I can’t say one area inspires me more than the other. It would be like asking me, ‘Which child do you favour?’. I appreciate all of it.

dubai zoo

WO: Having lived in Dubai for more than two decades, how has your relationship with the city evolved, and how is that reflected in your work?

SM: Having witnessed the change from 1997 when I first moved here has affected my work in the sense that I felt an urgency to document the indigenous trees, floral and fauna because I was literally watching it transform in real time because of developments and new projects as the city was growing.

So, my experiences in the early 2000s for example, driving through Nad Al Sheba and seeing the land transform into other realities and visions of different projects, made me feel it was compromising the landscape. So, I felt this need as a creative and one who is sensitive to life forms to document the land here.

My whole focus and art practice changed to focus on the native flora and fauna. It wasn’t my primary focus before this. Seeing this change definitely informed my decision-making.

*From street art to sculpture parks: how Dubai is becoming an open-air gallery*

WO: The installation at the Dubai Zoo will be seen by thousands passing through Jumeirah every day. What do you hope people notice or feel when they encounter the artwork?

SM: I hope that people will feel a great sense of belonging and community. The initial vision of Shamal was to honour the legacy of that part of Jumeirah and Dubai. And I hope that people are inspired by the artwork that I’ve created for this special project.

This project aligns beautifully with Dubai’s Public Art Strategy. It offers the community 710 metres of canvas, where 12 of my original artworks are on display for everyone to engage with, reminisce about and enjoy.

Images: Supplied