COYA, renowned for its creative cuisine and dynamic dining experiences will usher in the new season with celebrated London-based street artist, Marco Polo for a solo exhibition, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ in COYA Dubai Members’ Club on Monday, 25 September and live mural painting in Pisco Lounge in COYA Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, 27 September.
“This cutting-edge display is the latest in a long line of independent exhibitions held at COYA. Art is part of COYA’s culture. As much as the food makes a statement about the venue so does the art. COYA is an alternative art space that supports artists around the world,” said Cedric Toussaint, Director of Operations, COYA Dubai.
“We’re delighted that Marco can make it to the UAE to introduce his work in person.”
Marco will first visit COYA Dubai, at Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach, for a ‘meet and greet’ session on Monday, 25 September. The event is set to run from 7pm to 9pm in the Members’ Club. Two days later, he will move on to the UAE capital, calling into Al Maryah Island’s COYA Abu Dhabi to do a live mural painting in the Pisco Lounge before guests’ very eyes. This session will also take place from 7pm to 9pm, in the Pisco Lounge. Drinks and canapés from COYA’s award-winning menu will be served at both events.
Marco Polo commented: “I’m very excited and grateful to have this opportunity to bring my works to Dubai, it’s always been a dream to showcase my art in the UAE. Dubai is a major force and quickly growing as one of the most influential and talked about places when it comes to street art/ urban art. Having worked with COYA Mayfair it will be a privilege to work with them again on this project.”
Marco Polo started ‘tagging’ walls in London five years ago and has since produced graffiti in Los Angeles, Hamburg, Barcelona and New York. A a huge fan of the Big Apple’s 1980s graffiti movement, noted for its use of bright colours, he is also influenced by pop art.
After some run-ins with the police, Marco started to show his work in galleries. When painting on canvas, he operates in the same way he did on the streets, producing the work as quickly as possible for a raw, spontaneous feel. He continues to use spray paint and stencils, but has added resins and oil paints into the mix for greater versatility.
‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ exhibition in COYA Dubai will run until middle of November and all the exhibited works are for sale.
COYA has hosted many important artists since opening its doors in UAE including award-winning celebrity street artist Skyler Grey, Lebanese artist, Suzi Fadel Nassif, Spanish artist, Esther Arias, Syrian artist, Osama Nassar, and Ethiopian Workneh Bezu Kassa and among others.