One of the highlights of my time working as an art consultant and in-house artist with 17A Art Consultants in Dubai was seeing my work featured in Hospitality News ME magazine. The feature, titled “Standout Art,” explored how hotels and restaurants across the globe are increasingly investing in art to shape guest experiences and set themselves apart.
For this article, my project at La Ville Hotel, City Walk was showcased. I had been commissioned to create a mural for the guestrooms — a project that began with a hand-drawn sketch capturing the energy of the surrounding cityscape. The sketch was then digitised in Photoshop, refined for scale, and finally printed onto wallpaper which was installed in the hotel’s rooms.
What I loved about being part of this feature was how it reflected the philosophy of 17A’s Director, Lindsey Gildea, who emphasized the importance of integrating art early in the design process, rather than treating it as an afterthought. This approach allowed my mural to be thoughtfully woven into the interiors of La Ville, becoming part of the hotel’s narrative rather than simply an addition on the walls.
It was an exciting process that showed me how art can move beyond canvas and paper, becoming part of a larger story — in this case, directly shaping the atmosphere of a luxury hotel. To see the project highlighted in a regional design magazine was both an honour and a reminder of how thoughtfully placed art can transform spaces and experiences.
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