Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced ‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild,’a first-of-its-kind drive-through exhibition in collaboration with His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, Secretary General of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award.Running from 30 January to 8 February 2026, the showcase presents the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve as a living ecosystem, highlighting its natural beauty and distinctive features. This aligns with the Authority’scommitment to promoting sustainability awareness within the community, preserving tangible and intangible heritage and strengtheningthe emirate’spresence on the internationalcultural map, whilechampioning photography as a vital art form.
Hosted at the UAE’s largest unfenced nature reserve, the exhibition features 24 works by renowned Emirati photographer bin Thalith. These images capture scenes of wildlife and thesurrounding landscape, invitingaudiences to discover the area’srich biodiversity, fromgazelles and other mammals to migratory birds that find a safe haven here before continuing their journeys.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed the Authority’s dedicationto empowering local talent and providing opportunities tospotlight creative skills across the arts. She also underscored the role of the ‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild’ exhibition in highlighting the reserve’s natural assets, reflecting its status as an environmental sanctuary and a distinguished tourism destination.
Al Suwaidi said:“Thisis a unique experience that encourages the public to uncoverthe secrets and beauty of Al Marmoom and to learn more about its biodiversity. It also demonstrateshow photography canexpress environmental landscapes through a powerful visual language, raising awareness aroundsustainability and the preservation of natural heritage.”
Commenting on the exhibition, Ali Khalifa bin Thalith said:“Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve has rich biodiversity, which has made it a natural habitat for a wide range of rare wildlife species. This diversity is reflected in Al Marmoom: The Living Wild, an exhibition that offers audiences a cultural and visual experience capturing unseen moments of daily interaction between living organisms and their environment. Through the language of photography as a documentary tool, the exhibition invites a renewed reading of the natural landscape, encouraging reflection on the beauty of Al Marmoom and its intricate details. I am proud to collaborate with Dubai Culture on the exhibition that aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our natural ecosystems.”
The drive-through concept allows visitors to explore using their private vehicles, transforming the journey into an immersive visual experience. The designfeatures simple architectural structures inspired by the desert environment, built to withstand climatic conditions and powered by solar energy. Installations include QR codes that enable visitors to learn about the animals documented in the photographs.
Ali Khalifa bin Thalith is among the region’s most prominent photographers specialising in underwater imagery. He holds a Diploma in Documentary Photography from the London Academy, as well as a Diploma in French Language and Literature from the University of Montpellier, France. He has also completed international courses in the United Kingdom, France, and Dubai. In 2014, he received the ‘Leadership in Professional Photography’ Award from the International Photography Council (IPC), affiliated with the United Nations, becoming the first Arab to receive this honour. His portfolio includes publications and documentary films, most notably ‘Journey of the Green Mountain’ and ‘Gaza Diver.’
