Nathaniel Alapide was only 36 years old when he first began using Dubai’s beaches as his art canvas. The Filipino expatriate has come a long way since then, and what started as a simple hobby has now turned him into a record-breaking sand artist.
Alapide, who first came to Dubai in 2003, worked as an aquarium specialist for Atlantis until 2014. “My duties at the time included feeding sharks, sting rays,” he told Arabian Business in an exclusive interview, adding that he was painting on the side during his free time.
So how did Alapide expand his art from paper to sand?
“Honestly, I began to do this on a professional level after my first piece was discovered by 7DAYS. They had come in for a video shoot and wrote a story on it as well. I was recognised for my art after that,” he said.
Alapide’s first sand piece was a tree, which he tribute to his late grand mum. The artist was later hired by Jumeirah Beach Hotel, a few months after the story was published.
Alapide continued his passion for art by working the role of a full-time sand artist for the hotel, and was often assigned to draw portraits of celebrities and VIPs across his granular canvas, beginning early morning.
Dubai-based sand artist
After working for two-and-a-half years for Jumeirah Beach Hotel, he worked another full-time role for the Rixos Hotel in Jumeirah Beach Residences. Two years after that, Alapide decided to continue his role as a freelancer for sand art.
“To tell you the truth, it is still like a dream to me,” he said.
“It started as a hobby, and ever since I was recognised, I was given the opportunity to work for big brands like Burberry, National Geographic, Honda, Brand Dubai, and most recently by Adidas for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, to draw the portraits of Lionel Messi and other players.”
Today, as a freelancer, Alapide has the freedom to choose his work. Nevertheless, his art form has been well-sought out for by many in the UAE. His efforts could cost those who want an exclusive piece by him on sand, anywhere between AED5,000 up to AED120,000 depending on the scale of the project.
Alapide’s masterpieces are also made using a simple garden rake. “I also use a string or a rope to measure the exact dimensions for certain projects,” he said, adding that one piece of sand art can take up anywhere between 30 minutes to four hours.
In 2022, Alapide also won the Guinness World Record for the largest sand image. His drawing measured over 23,000 square metres and was commissioned by Abu Dhabi Aviation Club. The masterpiece featured the UAE rulers and took about 30 days to create.
Despite his many successes, Alapide’s greatest challenge so far is water.
“It is very challenging, especially because one wave is enough to wash all of it away. However, it teaches you the art of letting go of things,” he said. Alapide also said that extreme winds can hinder his plans to create sand art but “it is all part of the process,” which he has learned to enjoy.
Dubai Public Art Strategy
Two weeks ago, Dubai launched the Public Art Strategy which “seeks to transform the emirate into an open, accessible and global art gallery, offering exceptional artistic experiences that enhance visual culture and the spirit of innovation and contributing to enriching the region’s cultural and artistic scene whilst supporting Dubai’s creative economy.”
When asked about if this could increase competition between artists, Alapide said: “Competition is good. It raises the standards, and keeps artists motivated to create more and more for a city like Dubai.”
He added: “Dubai’s rich culture can be enhanced through this, especially as people will try to merge this with their art. It will inspire artists, honestly, and art always adds soul to place.”
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