This particular piece was based on a story I had read in one of my old childhood books. I had just moved back to Dubai from the United States and I could help but be mesmerized by my hometown. I did have a big culture shock when I returned (it had been about ten years since I left) and the city had changed a lot. There’s of course there’s the incredible metropolitan jungle that had sprung up, but I found myself being pulled back to the more older, ethnic and Arabic elements of the city.

I can’t remember the name of the story but it was about a young boy who comes across his grandfather’s old inventions, one them being this crazy balloon slash time machine slash aircraft. And so he takes a ride on it with his little companion fox and travels to all these cool places. I was so inspired by the story and my current environment I just had to concept it out. I wanted to make the sky grey from all the dust and sandstorms, while keeping the balloon bright and vivid.

I had a lot of fun making this prop and I really like the way it turned out! To view the entire collection, browse my portfolio.