Using only a rake, Dubai-based Filipino artist Nathaniel Alapide turns beaches into huge works of art.
Using only a rake, Dubai-based Filipino artist Nathaniel Alapide turns beaches into huge works of art.
Amr Alfiky/Reuters/Alamy Stock Photo
Alapide first began working with sand when he carved a giant tree as a tribute to his late grandmother on Umm Suqeim Beach, home to the wave-shaped structure of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Alapide first began working with sand when he carved a giant tree as a tribute to his late grandmother on Umm Suqeim Beach, home to the wave-shaped structure of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Jojo Villena
"I try to really imagine the rake as a brush," Alapide said. "When you move it at a certain angle it will give a different stroke, a thinner line."
"I try to really imagine the rake as a brush," Alapide said. "When you move it at a certain angle it will give a different stroke, a thinner line."
Chris Dabu
In January 2022, Alapide's drawing of the leaders of the United Arab Emirates was judged to be the world's largest sand image, at more than 23,000 square meters (250,000 square feet). The piece was commissioned by Abu Dhabi Sports Aviation Club and required 150 truck-loads of sand from across the Arabian desert.
In January 2022, Alapide's drawing of the leaders of the United Arab Emirates was judged to be the world's largest sand image, at more than 23,000 square meters (250,000 square feet). The piece was commissioned by Abu Dhabi Sports Aviation Club and required 150 truck-loads of sand from across the Arabian desert.
Nathaniel Alapide
Through history, people have used sand to make art. Pablo Picasso was known to have drafted concepts and designs in the sand. Like traditional sand artists, such as the mandala artists of Tibetan Buddhism, Alapide finds the ephemeral nature of sand drawing to be a meditative ritual.
Through history, people have used sand to make art. Pablo Picasso was known to have drafted concepts and designs in the sand. Like traditional sand artists, such as the mandala artists of Tibetan Buddhism, Alapide finds the ephemeral nature of sand drawing to be a meditative ritual.
Mox Santos
Alapide has been commissioned to create artworks for international brands such as Burberry and National Geographic.
Alapide has been commissioned to create artworks for international brands such as Burberry and National Geographic.
Chris Dabu
Pictured: A commission Alapide completed for Adidas during the 2022 World Cup, beside Stadium 974 in Qatar.
Pictured: A commission Alapide completed for Adidas during the 2022 World Cup, beside Stadium 974 in Qatar.
Adidas
"It's like a ritual for me now, like the morning prayer," Alapide said of his process.
"It's like a ritual for me now, like the morning prayer," Alapide said of his process.
SAN