Few symbols in the Emirates carry the cultural resonance of the Arabian horse. Once vital to movement and survival across the desert, it evolved into an emblem of dignity, loyalty and generosity - qualities that sit at the heart of Arabian hospitality. Its silhouette appears throughout the region’s art, poetry and architecture, not as embellishment but as a reminder of a heritage shaped by connection, welcome and shared space. Today, the Arabian horse continues to influence contemporary interpretations of hospitality, guiding the design of cultural landmarks and inspiring artists who draw on its enduring presence to link the traditions of the past with the landscapes of the present.

Mattar Bin Lahej’s Storytelling in Motion

Among those artists is second-generation Emirati creative Mattar Bin Lahej, whose work has become a distinctive presence in Dubai’s art landscape. His connection to the land runs deep; as a child, he gravitated toward the quiet focus of drawing patterns in the sand while other children played, forming an early relationship with the textures and rhythms of his environment. Known for blending painting, sculpture and calligraphy, his practice is rooted in a desire to capture the tempo of his homeland - its heritage, its movement, its soul. He often speaks about the importance of visualisation, of removing limitations before steel is bent or bronze is cast. “I don’t set myself any limitations,” he says. “I visualise and I believe I can do it.” It is a mindset that reflects the spirit of Dubai itself: a city where imagination is not constrained but encouraged to take shape.

“We come from a family whose foundation is in the majlis, and here in our country, the United Arab Emirates, the majlis is always the largest space in the house - that shows our complete dedication to hospitality,” he explains. Bin Lahej’s artistic philosophy is grounded in this early sense of welcome and togetherness. It formed the base from which he learned that art, like hospitality, is an expression of generosity - something offered, shared, and felt.

At Jumeirah Al Naseem, Bin Lahej’s “blue horse” and related equestrian motifs take on layered significance. The sweeping lines and dynamic forms of horses offer a contemporary homage to an animal long associated with freedom, nobility and welcome. Reflecting on his early career, he notes: “I feel very fortunate that my initial rise came through Jumeirah, because the brand believed in my ability as someone from this land, to convey the full feeling of welcome.”

Across the hotel’s corridors and lobby, his equine imagery - framed by repeating metallic arches -evokes a sense of motion contained within stillness. “I love stillness,” he says, “but within that stillness, I sense movement. Transitioning from stillness means starting from a solid, grounded place and then expressing something meaningful.” It is in this interplay between calm and energy that he locates the essence of Arabian hospitality: a rooted tradition expressed through openness and generosity. “Just as light defines itself through darkness and shadow through light,” he adds, “there is a balance there - something he sees reflected in Jumeirah’s approach to hospitality.

Another piece in his installation - visible as guests arrive - features a stainless-steel sculpture that hints at a camel caravan gliding across water, a quiet reference to the region’s nomadic past and its transformation into a modern, interconnected cityscape. Through Bin Lahej’s work, the horse becomes more than a recurring motif; it serves as a bridge between eras, places and experiences, reframing hospitality as an act of cultural storytelling.

The Golden Compass of Arrival

At Jumeirah Al Qasr, the Arabian horse takes on another expressive role through the lens of South African Danie de Jager. Eighteen golden horses line the sweeping driveway leading to the hotel, positioned in mid-stride as though guiding visitors toward the entrance. Their choreography creates a sense of forward motion - a visual compass orienting guests toward a setting shaped by heritage and the rhythm of the desert.

The sculptures are widely believed to represent the eighteen prized horses of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, lending the installation both cultural depth and personal resonance. Each figure reflects the distinctive characteristics of the Arabian breed - its poise, arched neck and attentive stance. Set among palms and water features, the ensemble marks a transition from the surrounding landscape into a space informed by regional memory. It is an introduction framed by continuity rather than spectacle.

The forward stride of the golden horses also recalls the long journeys once undertaken across desert terrains, echoing routes navigated by tribes whose survival relied on the endurance and intelligence of their horses. Positioned at the entryway, they suggest that arrival itself carries meaning: a passage into a hospitality tradition grounded in dignity, respect and a sincere welcome.

An Enduring Cultural Ambassador

In today’s urban landscape, artists such as Mattar Bin Lahej remind both residents and visitors that beneath the city’s contemporary surface lies a deeply rooted heritage. Within this context, the horse emerges as a cultural ambassador, its presence signaling endurance, dignity, respect and generosity - values that continue to shape hospitality across the Emirates. 

Seen through art, architecture and the rituals of welcome, the Arabian horse becomes a living thread, binding the desert’s past to the nation’s present and every guest to the wider story of this land.