Magnificent aluminium structure in Abu Dhabi's Memorial Park celebrates UAE soldiers

UAE’s first Memorial Park celebrating the brave soldiers and other Emiratis who died while serving the country has recently been unveiled in Abu Dhabi. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed chose International art and design studio UAP to commission the Memorial and collaborate on the pavilion.  The memorial at Wahat Al Karama Park represents brilliant aluminium artwork by British artist Idris Khan.

The Memorial is built with 31 aluminium standing tablets, each 23 metres in height. The leaning tablets represent strength, power and pride in soldiers, loved ones and their country that unite them together. The two vertical aluminium tablets at the entrance are intended to evoke a sense of humility when approached. The tablets feature a series of Arabic poems and quotes from Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohamed that invoke viewers to connect with the artwork and the memorial.

Each of the 31 tablets was carefully handcrafted by UAP’s design and fabrication team from 850 cast aluminium panels. The designers used a hand painting technique to create a surface that delicately defines gradient colours and captures the light rather than reflecting it.

Daniel Tobin, Founder and Creative Director of UAP, said: “We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptional artist like Idris Khan, to understand and deliver his unique creative vision.

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The Pavilion of Honour is a circular structure that gives the finishing touch to the memorial. It comprises seven standing glass panels at the centre surrounded by a water feature, representing the seven emirates of the UAE. The circular wall is wrapped in a cladding made of 2,800 aluminium plates. Notably, the aluminium plates are made from recycled aluminium recovered from armoured vehicles used in defence and are inscribed with the names of the UAE’s heroes.