- Nathaniel Alapide is a Filipino artist who creates sand art murals on the shorelines of Dubai.
- He uses a rake and the sand as his canvas to create drawings and portraits on the beaches of Dubai.
- Recently, he set a Guinness World Record for creating the world’s largest sand image which took him 30 days to complete.
- Aside from creating artworks, Nathaniel also hosts specialized classes on how individuals can tap into their inner creativity.
In this OFW story, we feature a Filipino artist who is making waves in the art scene in Dubai, using sand as his canvass.
“The beach is my canvas and the rake is my paintbrush. Then the wonderful happens.” – Nathaniel Alapide.
And what a truly unique masterpiece it is! Meet Nathaniel A. Alapide – proudly Filipino – making waves in the art scene with his breathtaking sand murals on the shorelines of Dubai.
Nathaniel is currently employed by Jumeirah Group as a full-time sand artist. He expresses his art using stretches of beach sand in Dubai to come up with these masterpieces. He has done a magnificent replica of the Mona Lisa in the past and has even caught the attention of the international media.
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Pinoy Artist, Nathaniel Alapide, and His Sand Artwork in Dubai’s Beaches
Nathaniel uses a rake and the sand as his canvas to create drawings and portraits on the beaches of the city. He works in a variety of locations across the United Arab Emirates.
Nathaniel Alapide heads to a beach in Dubai early in the morning, waiting for the ideal low tide to start drawing his next masterpiece on the flat and wet sand surface.
As he takes on hotel art commissions, the 44-year-old artist turned his interest in creating sand art into a professional career.
Nathaniel Alapide’s sand masterpieces can be found in many of Dubai’s beaches. If you want to reach out to him, you can check out his IG page for more updates.
Breaking Guinness Record for World’s Largest Sand Image in UAE
Nathaniel pushed his sand art to a new level recently, when in March 2022, he set a Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Sand Image which features the UAE map and its leaders. This was created in the middle of the desert.
For this world-breaking masterpiece, he shares that it took about 30 days to complete the portrait. Here’s a video snippet as shared on GulfNews:
Video: Nathaniel Alapide Dubai Sand Artist
Check out this video clip which features Nathaniel being casually interviewed in Dubai by a tourist. She mentioned that she was so happy to have met the Pinoy artist.
Aside from creating artworks upon request of VIP hotel guests, Nathaniel also hosts specialized classes on how individuals can tap into their inner creativity.
“Do more of the things that give you life, because our time here won’t last forever.” – he says
Video: Interview with Nathaniel on Amazing Earth
Here’s another video of Nathaniel being featured on GMA7’s Amazing Earth. He shares his story on how he started his love for art and how we was introduced to sand as his canvass. Great work Nathaniel!
It’s really great to see someone thrive in their passion and make a living out of it. What’s even more inspiring is that Nathaniel uses his gift to teach others, sharing his knowledge so that they may find their own path in life. We could all learn a thing or two from him.
Photos: Sand Artwork in Dubai by Nathaniel Alapide
Nathaniel’s work makes us Filipinos proud and makes you realize that you can pursue your craft wherever you may be. Now, his art is appreciated by many residents in the city. You may follow him on Instagram or visit his Facebook page.
Here are some more samples of his creations. Check out his amazing works below!
Summary
Nathaniel Alapide’s sand art is not only beautiful to look at, but it also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life. His artwork can be found in various locations across Dubai and he has even set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest sand image. What started out as a hobby has turned into a full-time career for Nathaniel and he uses his art to remind people to live their lives to the fullest. If you’re ever in Dubai, make sure to stop by the beach and take a look at Nathaniel’s amazing masterpieces.
What Nathaniel has done is a truly inspiring feat not just for the Filipino community but for people of all nationalities. His art is a beautiful representation of how we can turn something as simple as sand into a work of art. So the next time you’re at the beach, why not try your own hand at making some sand art?
We hope that this OFW Story has inspired you to try something new and different the next time you’re at the beach. After all, life is too short to not explore your creativity.
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