Canvas and sky: Reputed artist Andrew Thompson is also an aircraft engineer
Artist Andrew Thompson points out that by profession, he is a Licensed Aircraft Engineer and currently the Maintenance Manager for a Dubai VVIP flight operation. 'I have lived in the UAE for the past 31 years,' he says.
Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, he has had a 'very much of a free outdoors childhood,' in Zimbabwe. A self-taught artist with no formal art training, the inspiration for much of his earlier paintings comes from the surroundings he inhabited during the extensive travelling he did due to his work as an Aircraft Engineer.
He admires man's many engineering feats from the past in machinery and architecture, and his work often reflect these muses. 'I also find inspiration from the desert sands of Dubai which may seem bleak and featureless to some, but to me they are alive with shapes, shades and colour, constantly shifting and offering something new,' he underlines.
He says he is yet an experimentalist with his art, trying different forms, and taking inspiration from other fellow artists. He recently won second prize in the NBF (National Bank of Fujairah) art competition 2025 and is now showing some of his works at Perspectives – II group exhibition at the Capital Club, Dubai, curated by Patricia Millns, where Andrew's works are curated by Bhairavi Mistry of Noora The Divine Spark. Many of Andrews's pieces have found homes in Dubai and abroad. He speaks to Gulf Today
Andrew Thompson looks at the world.
Which are the unusual places that have inspired you as an artist?
The Great Karoo region of South Africa. Vast open vistas of semi-arid country interspersed with flat topped mountains and hills. The earth tones that pop out of the landscape at sunrise and sunset are breathtaking. The Geilo, Norway. The contrast between light and shadow is extreme and when combined with the blue shadows, caught my attention. It reminded me of the desert in the UAE with a random Ghaf tree casting shadows on the sand.
What has kept you in the UAE for over three decades?
It is the country that has kept me here. It might get hot and there might be too much dust at times, but it is a special place, special people. The UAE also has pride in its identity which I admire, something that many western countries could look on as an example. It has looked after me.
Ghaf Tree.
What is the advantage of not having formally learned art?
Not to be bound by convention, not to be confused with what you are told, as opposed to what you feel. Watercolour was the medium I first chose, and now many years later, I am well immersed in oil painting. It is only now that I listen to other 'formally' trained artists on social media and compare my notes and my experiences. Not all of it I agree with or follow.
How has Africa influenced you as an artist?
The land influenced me. In my high school years, I spent most of my holidays in the African bush. This probably influenced my senses of listening, smelling and looking. The golden hours just before sunset sitting high up in the hills above my home watching the light and colours change from the sky above to the dark valleys below. Africa has a special feel at this time of the day.
Hajar Thunder.
Which is the architecture you admire?
I admire most architecture, but I think the style that pulls my eye in is Brutalism. It's the combination of big structure and the raw face of concrete. This is enhanced when sunlight creates sharp zones of light and deep shadow. This contrast of light and shade have offered some inspirational ideas for my art.
Why are you still an experimentalist as an artist?
I think this comes about due to my sporadic spurts of creating pieces of art. I cannot dedicate a period each day to paint. My painting sessions are grabbed when I am not working in my day-to-day profession or spending time with my family. Hence why I believe I am an experimentalist painter.
Night Walk.
Who are the fellow artists you look up to? Why?
Maynard Dixon, an American West landscape painter. His paintings of big open spaces have always made me pause and look long at his work. He was a minimalist landscape artist, who created big open vistas of the American West, using a subdued colour palette. Very similar to the UAE desert landscapes. Another artist is Andrew Wyeth, also an American artist. He was known as a realist in his style.
Besides the sands, what is your Emirati muse as an artist?
The Ghaf tree. Strong, resilient and silent. When the wind blows, you can hear it whispering quietly to you. It is a complex tree to paint, its canopy is multi-faceted in shape and subtle colour, all balanced on a rough trunk. The time of day also changes its character. They are the ancient sentinels of the sands. The isolation of these trees has always drawn me to them.
Wind Whisperer.
Is there a link between aircraft maintenance and art?
Yeah, I think there is. Both require your hands, your eyes and your brain. You need to be able to 'think' with your hands at the same time as engaging the brain. There is a natural pride when you walk past your finished painting or when you see the aircraft that you have just worked on, takeoff and fly.
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Gulf Today
5 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Canvas and sky: Reputed artist Andrew Thompson is also an aircraft engineer
Artist Andrew Thompson points out that by profession, he is a Licensed Aircraft Engineer and currently the Maintenance Manager for a Dubai VVIP flight operation. 'I have lived in the UAE for the past 31 years,' he says. Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, he has had a 'very much of a free outdoors childhood,' in Zimbabwe. A self-taught artist with no formal art training, the inspiration for much of his earlier paintings comes from the surroundings he inhabited during the extensive travelling he did due to his work as an Aircraft Engineer. He admires man's many engineering feats from the past in machinery and architecture, and his work often reflect these muses. 'I also find inspiration from the desert sands of Dubai which may seem bleak and featureless to some, but to me they are alive with shapes, shades and colour, constantly shifting and offering something new,' he underlines. He says he is yet an experimentalist with his art, trying different forms, and taking inspiration from other fellow artists. He recently won second prize in the NBF (National Bank of Fujairah) art competition 2025 and is now showing some of his works at Perspectives – II group exhibition at the Capital Club, Dubai, curated by Patricia Millns, where Andrew's works are curated by Bhairavi Mistry of Noora The Divine Spark. Many of Andrews's pieces have found homes in Dubai and abroad. He speaks to Gulf Today Andrew Thompson looks at the world. Which are the unusual places that have inspired you as an artist? The Great Karoo region of South Africa. Vast open vistas of semi-arid country interspersed with flat topped mountains and hills. The earth tones that pop out of the landscape at sunrise and sunset are breathtaking. The Geilo, Norway. The contrast between light and shadow is extreme and when combined with the blue shadows, caught my attention. It reminded me of the desert in the UAE with a random Ghaf tree casting shadows on the sand. What has kept you in the UAE for over three decades? It is the country that has kept me here. It might get hot and there might be too much dust at times, but it is a special place, special people. The UAE also has pride in its identity which I admire, something that many western countries could look on as an example. It has looked after me. Ghaf Tree. What is the advantage of not having formally learned art? Not to be bound by convention, not to be confused with what you are told, as opposed to what you feel. Watercolour was the medium I first chose, and now many years later, I am well immersed in oil painting. It is only now that I listen to other 'formally' trained artists on social media and compare my notes and my experiences. Not all of it I agree with or follow. How has Africa influenced you as an artist? The land influenced me. In my high school years, I spent most of my holidays in the African bush. This probably influenced my senses of listening, smelling and looking. The golden hours just before sunset sitting high up in the hills above my home watching the light and colours change from the sky above to the dark valleys below. Africa has a special feel at this time of the day. Hajar Thunder. Which is the architecture you admire? I admire most architecture, but I think the style that pulls my eye in is Brutalism. It's the combination of big structure and the raw face of concrete. This is enhanced when sunlight creates sharp zones of light and deep shadow. This contrast of light and shade have offered some inspirational ideas for my art. Why are you still an experimentalist as an artist? I think this comes about due to my sporadic spurts of creating pieces of art. I cannot dedicate a period each day to paint. My painting sessions are grabbed when I am not working in my day-to-day profession or spending time with my family. Hence why I believe I am an experimentalist painter. Night Walk. Who are the fellow artists you look up to? Why? Maynard Dixon, an American West landscape painter. His paintings of big open spaces have always made me pause and look long at his work. He was a minimalist landscape artist, who created big open vistas of the American West, using a subdued colour palette. Very similar to the UAE desert landscapes. Another artist is Andrew Wyeth, also an American artist. He was known as a realist in his style. Besides the sands, what is your Emirati muse as an artist? The Ghaf tree. Strong, resilient and silent. When the wind blows, you can hear it whispering quietly to you. It is a complex tree to paint, its canopy is multi-faceted in shape and subtle colour, all balanced on a rough trunk. The time of day also changes its character. They are the ancient sentinels of the sands. The isolation of these trees has always drawn me to them. Wind Whisperer. Is there a link between aircraft maintenance and art? Yeah, I think there is. Both require your hands, your eyes and your brain. You need to be able to 'think' with your hands at the same time as engaging the brain. There is a natural pride when you walk past your finished painting or when you see the aircraft that you have just worked on, takeoff and fly.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
3 days ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Here's why flights in the UAE might be more expensive this summer
Jetting off this summer? Brace yourself. Whether it's a quick hop to Mumbai or a long-haul to New York, flight prices from the UAE are soaring. Airspace restrictions across the region have led to ripple effects being felt across the skies, which means airlines are rerouting to avoid the no-fly zones and journeys are getting longer. Ticket prices are also climbing fast. If you've been dreaming of European escapes, African safaris, or simply heading home for the holidays, you might've noticed your usual flight budget isn't cutting it. Fare comparison sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights show prices from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas have jumped anywhere between 15 and 60 percent – all in less than a week (last week compared to this week). For the UAE's massive Indian expat community, summer trips home are usually routine. This year, they're coming with serious sticker shock. One-way tickets to cities like Mumbai and Delhi, which typically cost between Dh380 and Dh440, are now going for up to Dh800. That's nearly double – and if you're booking for the whole family, the cost hike adds up quickly. If you're heading Stateside, flights to New York are averaging between Dh1,210 and Dh1,325 – a notable jump from the previous prices of around Dh1,030. Round-trip fares to cities like Chicago and Houston are now pushing Dh2,475, with longer flight times and steeper fuel costs behind the spike. Flying to Nairobi? Prices have crept up from around Dh550 to as much as Dh750 for a one-way ticket. Round-trips are now averaging Dh1,195 – about 25 percent more than last week. Some airlines are even adding extra stopovers to reroute safely, increasing both travel time and overall hassle. Even routes that don't directly pass over conflict zones are feeling the squeeze. Fares to destinations like Frankfurt have climbed by 25 percent, with traffic rerouted over more limited air corridors, causing delays and congestion. Why are flight prices more expensive at the moment? While the reason hasn't been confirmed, longer routes mean extra hours in the air, which means more fuel, more staffing and more logistical complexity – and could lead to higher fares. Midweek departures or flying at off-peak times can still offer some relief. And flexible ticket options are your best bet in case plans suddenly shift. If you've got summer travel plans, get ahead of the surge and book wisely. Need some travel inspo? Travelling from Abu Dhabi is about to be so much faster Zayed International Airport is the world's first airport to make this change 18 countries offering visa-on-arrival to UAE residents Here's where to go UAE citizens now get visa-on-arrival for India: a game-changer for travellers That quick trip to India just got even easier
What's On
5 days ago
- What's On
6 art hotels around the world worth travelling for in summer 2025
We travel for so many different reasons. Some people travel to fuel their love of food, seeking out food cities that offer mind-blowing culinary adventures. Some travel for people, nourishing their soul by sharing stories and culture with people they've never met before. Some travel for the luxury, some travel for the beauty of this world and then we have some who travel for art. If you're an art enthusiast, these art hotels need to be on your travel list this summer. The Silo, Cape Town Watching over the iconic V&A Waterfront in one of South Africa's three capitals, The Silo is a masterpiece of art and design, both from the inside and out. With stunning views stretching from Table Mountain to the Table Bay harbour, this is where you need to go to discover Africa's largest collection of contemporary African art. The accommodation sits above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), and is a pinnacle of luxury spanning six floors. From the outside, the pillowed glass windows make the hotel impossible to miss and difficult to ignore. @thesilohotel_ El Fenn, Marrakech 42 rooms and jaw-dropping visuals, that is El Fenn for you. This boutique property on the cusp on medina and souk brings to life all the 19th-century glory of the building, in the wrought iron, the carved wood, the graphic prints, the marble fountains – a mix of the old and the new with a healthy smattering of avant garde artwork and some mid-century modern works in colours of the land. The property has the romance of the creative, with a library, five inner courtyards and cosy alcoves inviting you to escape. This may just be Marrakech's most stylish hotel. @elfennmarrakech The Ned, Doha Spotlighting Middle Eastern female creatives, The Ned in Doha is housed inside Qatar's former Ministry of Interior. Inside, art enthusiasts can find themselves in the presence and power of over 350 artworks by over 100 Middle Eastern artists, most of them women. The collection is sprinkled across the hotel and is permanent. The collection has been curated by Wadha Al-Aqeedi and Elina Sairanen, the co-founders of Mathqaf Arab Museum of Modern Art. On the outside, the architecture will take you back to the brutalist design of the 1970s. Art, inside and out. @theneddoha The Dolder Grand, Zurich The Dolder Grand's art collection is an impressive list of names the likes of Salvador Dali, Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami, Joan Miro, and Sylvester Stallone (niche). The beauty of this collection is the variety, more than 100 works from over 90 artists spanning decades and movements. Stay-wise, the views are beautiful, pristine, snowy Alps and a crystalline Lake Zurich await guests. The property itself has undergone expansions that brings together the influence of different eras. The art collection also has a digital guide that will take you deeper into the art history. @thedoldergrand Bushman Cafe, Abidjan The most eclectic of this list, this little establishment is championing art, culture and chocolate from the Ivory Coast. Bushman Cafe houses a guesthouse of just 8 rooms, a restaurant, a cafe and a multi-use space. This is a hotspot for not just creatives in the Ivory Coast, but also from around the world, and is home to an exquisite collection of treasures like art, antiques, sculptures, designer lamps and some of the country's finest chocolate; Africa supplies about 70%of the world's cocoa beans – you can see why this matters. @ Chao, Beijing Championing arts is what Chao is all about. Located in the heart of the Chinese capital's entertainment district of Sanlitun, this hotel features a massive 30,000-square-foot art center, on-site , no less, and puts up a fantastic avant-garde cultural program all year long. Think sensory exhibits, talks and so much more. The state-of-the-art print shop is one of China's few high-end printmaking studios – a nod to the hotelier's background in art printmaking – with workshops on etching, silkscreen, woodcutting, and more. It continues to produce limited edition prints and guests are welcomed for a private tour. @chaobeijing Images: Socials > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
