Located in the Opportunity District across from China’s Pavilion and facing Sunrise Plaza, the sculpture is one of three art installations that make up the community art project called Hammour House.

Seldom do we realise the negative impact that we leave on the environment, harming it with every passing day. And to raise awareness about the beauty of our planet, Expo 2020 Dubai has been promoting art that speaks of preserving what we have left of our natural environment — before it is too late.

One of the creations at the Expo titled Hammour House, an artwork by Australian artist Sue Ryan is intricately made with layered fishnets that were previously discarded in the ocean, as well as other debris from the sea.

Located in the Opportunity District across from China’s Pavilion and facing Sunrise Plaza, the sculpture is one of three art installations that make up the community art project called Hammour House.

The other two works include a vibrant wall-hanging by UAE-based schoolchildren that has been made using batik technique and sustainable dyes created by Dubai-based muralist Steve Chambers, and an ever-expanding coral reef sculpture that will come into fulfilment throughout Expo 2020’s six-month time.

The artwork takes its inspiration from the 1001 Nights story of Abdullah the Fisherman and Abdullah the Merman. The story is about a poor fisherman named Abdullah, who had a large family, was suddenly unable to catch any fish. After he was encouraged by his wife, he cast his net again and this time pulled out a merman who was also called Abdullah. The two become partners and suddenly there are abundant fish stocks for the local fishermen.

The moral of the story as promoted by the Expo 2020 community art project is that creatures of the land — humans — must work with creatures of the sea, fish, and coral reef to ensure a sustainable environment for all.

The artwork aims to raise awareness for Hammour and Grouper fish who are among the overfished species in the UAE that are now endangered. With Coral reefs being the main habitat for endangered fish indigenous in the UAE, the destruction of the marine ecosystem has led to the threat of extinction for the marine species.