How painting portraits of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan made Filipino artist Ely Caluag a hero in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Despite hailing from Southeast Asia, Caluag’s patriotic portraits of royalty have made him a national hero in his adopted home in the Middle East
Filipino artists are making an increasing impact on the world stage. One name to have found considerable recognition abroad is Dubai-based Ely Caluag, whose novel renderings of both the UAE’s cityscapes and its beloved leaders – in both traditional and digital forms – have made him a hero in the country.
In an exclusive interview with STYLE, we caught up with the artist to find out what motivated him to start painting in the first place, what art means to him and much more.
What prompted you to start painting?
I was surrounded by artists. My uncles were painters and my mum was a dressmaker, so I started drawing as a kid. I learned how to draw as early as [age] four, sketching mostly dinosaurs. When I needed to decide which career path to choose, I took architecture, knowing quite well that fine arts will not lead you to prosperity. But after a couple of years into university, I determinedly shifted to fine arts, as I discovered there is a new digital realm of art taking shape.
When did you actually begin to paint?