The Coral Wall
The Coral Wall Sculpture Series, is inspired by the historic coral walls of the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. These coral stone walls were once a shelter to the nation’s early coastal communities and ancestors, carrying stories of resilience and coastal life.
Through this work, as Nidanin, we aim to create iconic pieces that become an integral part of the UAE's coastal areas—an artwork respected, preserved, and embraced by the local community.
“The Coral Wall” Sculpture, is a one-of-a-kind sculptural art piece inspired by the historic coral walls of Heart of Sharjah and Dubai Al Shindagha Historic District.
The creation and making of this project took place in the heart of the Sharjah Heritage Area, where our studio is located, we are able to truly feel, breathe, and gain insight into the history of the United Arab Emirates and its people.
For this project, carefully selected hardwood pieces were meticulously combined with fossilized corals handpicked over the years from various UAE beaches. A range of resin techniques and processes were applied not only to combine the wood and corals together, but also to ensure the longevity and durability of the artwork.
Hand-carved black walnut wood pieces complement the corals’ unique and complex textures, creating a harmonious dialogue between natural materials.
As artists and expats, we believe that connecting with the environment, nature, history, and heritage of the place we live is essential. Since arriving in the UAE, corals have been a source of curiosity and passion for us. During our first visit to the Sharjah Heritage Area—specifically the Heart of Sharjah—we were deeply charmed by the coral stone walls of the pearl merchant’s houses.
Learning about the journey of coral, from the beaches to architectural walls, and understanding its cultural and functional significance, ignited our inspiration while creating “The Coral Wall Sculpture Series”.
The UAE’s heritage has been shaped not only by its deserts, but also profoundly by its coastal environments. Historically, residents of coastal areas built their homes using fossilized coral stones, shell stones, and mud bricks. These natural materials allowed walls to breathe and adapt to temperature changes throughout the day, absorbing heat during daylight hours and releasing it at night.
Today, coral stones are no longer used in new architectural construction due to limited availability and the advancement of modern materials. However, existing coral stone walls are carefully conserved and protected within historic sites across the country, including Dubai Al Shindagha Historic District and Sharjah Heritage Area, preserving an important part of the nation’s architectural heritage.
With this sculpture series, “The Coral Wall,” our aim is to offer a glimpse into traditional landscape knowledge, sharing it with new generations, as well as newcomers from around the world, while celebrating and honoring the UAE’s rich culture, architectural heritage and traditions.
Heart of Sharjah - Coral Stone Walls Photo Gallery
Dubai Al Shindagha - Coral Stone Walls Photo Gallery
Vol.11 "Serai Wing"
The Coral Wall Sculpture Series, Vol. 11 "Serai Wing" commissioned by Shurooq for The Chedi Al Bait Hotel, Sharjah; Installed at the Serai Wing, Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim Entrance
Concept and Inspiration
The Coral Wall Sculpture Series, Vol. 11 is inspired by the historic coral walls of the Heart of Sharjah. These coral stone walls were once a shelter to the nation’s early coastal communities and ancestors, carrying stories of resilience and coastal life. Through this work, as Nidanin, we aim to create an iconic piece that becomes an integral part of the Heart of Sharjah—an artwork respected, preserved, and embraced by the local community.
Commissioned by Shurooq for The Chedi Al Bait Hotel at the Heart of Sharjah and installed at the entrance of Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim in the Serai Wing, the wall sculpture offers visitors a small moment of stillness. Before stepping into the restored heritage houses transformed into luxury accommodation, visitors are invited to pause, breathe and feel the connection between the place and the landscape that shaped it. This art piece is designed to awaken curiosity and encourage reflection on how Sharjah’s coastal ecology has shaped its cultural and architectural heritage. It offers a visual dialogue between landscape, memory, and traditional knowledge, highlighting the deep interdependence between the city’s history and its maritime environment.
Materials and Methods
The wall sculpture is composed of hand-carved American black walnut pieces that we call “Pillows.” These forms evoke the warmth, comfort, and intimate character of the region’s traditional coastal homes that surround this area. Paired with the unique patterns of coral skeletons, these forms reflect the harmony that can emerge between human craftsmanship and natural structure.
As with the previous volumes of The Coral Wall Sculpture Series, this work is made entirely from responsibly harvested American black walnut. The wood is treated through a non-toxic process that enhances durability and resistance to decay—ensuring longevity without compromising environmental integrity. Advanced resin techniques allow the walnut forms and coral textures to come together as single, lasting artwork for generations to come.
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85 coral skeletons + 86 black walnut "Pillows", total 171 pieces
95 x 135 cm / 7 cm thickness / 51 kg
Vol. 1 "The Pillows"
"The Coral Wall" Sculpture Series Volume 1 "The Pillow" was inspired by the Heart of Sharjah coral walls.
Inspired by UAE’s historic coral walls, once sheltering early coastal communities, this work carries stories of resilience and coastal life. Hand-carved American black walnut pillow forms evoke domestic warmth and comfort while coral patterns reveal a quiet harmony between human craftsmanship and natural structure
In this project, special hardwood pieces were meticulously combined with corals which have been handpicked from Sharjah beaches over the years. Various techniques and processes of resin were used not only to combine the wooden pieces with corals but also to make the art piece last a lifetime.
* "The Coral Wall" series Volume 1 is made of 84 pieces (44 corals + 40 walnut wood) coming together perfectly like a puzzle.
* 44 coral skeletons got strength using some processes to be everlasting, then combined with carved walnut bases using pearl white resin.
* 40 hand carved black walnut pieces embraced each coral piece smoothly. Finely sanding and finishing oil and waxing gave the picturesque texture.
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75 x 100 cm / 7cm thickness / 21 kg
For underwater photos credits to @coralgardeners
Vol. 2
"The Coral Wall" Sculpture Series Volume 2
In “The Coral Walls” Sculpture Series Volume 2, we wanted to unveil the Gulf Region’s maritime flora & fauna’s immersed harmony and bring it to your attention, using nothing but nature’s other mediums like hardwoods and finger coral skeletons brought together by resin.
Have you ever heard of subaqueous dunes before? If you live in the UAE, you must be familiar with sand dunes due to deserts in the region, but what if these dunes are underwater? Then, we call them “subaqueous dunes” common in oceans, seas, and rivers. For those who are into diving or snorkeling, you must have come across the unique beauty of subaqueous dunes.
What about the coral nurseries built to rehabilitate and restore the coral reefs in Gulf Region?
Those two main motives were our main inspiration for this project. Carved white oak pieces represent the subaqueous dunes and their wavy patterns, while the finger coral skeletons attached to the carved walnut pieces represent the planted batches of corals on the rope nurseries.
While we are creating our The Coral Walls series inspired by Sharjah’s historic coral stone walls that represent their heritage, as Nidanin, we also want to raise awareness to have a positive impact with another art piece on coral preservation.
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Hand carved white oak and black walnut (Finishing oil & Wax finished)
Hand-picked coral skeleton , Black resin , Ashwood black paint frame 51x97 cm
Vol. 3 "The Cube"
The Coral Wall Sculpture Series Vol.3 "The Cube" is a dedication to hidden corals within renovated walls, honoring the UAE’s heritage and ancestors while revealing what remains in plain sight yet often unseen.
When we first started this “The Coral Wall” Sculpture Series in the UAE, we were only aware of the typical coral stone walls you could see on the exterior; however, there are a lot of hidden gems.
We would have never noticed the corals hiding in the plain sight around us until the restoration took place in front of our studio, SAF Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, in the preservation of the Sharjah Heritage area.
The best part of this project is the piece that you see was one of the shattered remains of the restoration. While they were working on restoration, we learned a lot about the preservation process of the Coral Stone Walls. That’s why it is even more meaningful and precious for us.
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Cube 20x20 Mahogany wood - Golden resin
Base 14 x18.5 x 4 hand carved African dabema wood - wax finished
Vol. 4
"The Coral Wall" Sculpture Series Volume 4
Another perspective of Coral Stone Walls in this volume..
In this project, handcarved white oak and 4 different types of coral skeletons were used in the ashwood frame.
"The Coral Wall" Series was inspired by the Heart of Sharjah coral stone walls. The creation and making of the project have been taking part in the heart of Sharjah Heritage Area, where we could feel, breathe and insight into the history of the UAE and its people..
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Hand carved white oak (Finishing oil & Wax finished)
Hand-picked coral skeleton , Pearl white epoxy resin
Ashwood black paint frame 42x42 cm
Vol. 5 "The Puzzle"
The Coral Wall Sculpture Series Volume 5 "The Puzzle" is made of 43 wooden pieces and 4 coral skeletons coming together perfectly.
This puzzle-like sculptural pillar is designed to awaken curiosity and invite reflection on how the UAE’s coastal ecology has shaped architectural heritage. Referring to the form of a house pillar, it creates a visual dialogue between hand carved wooden pieces and coral stones.
* 43 hand carved African Dabema Wood pieces embraced with 4 coral skeletons smoothly using pearl white resin. Finely sanding and finishing oil and waxing gave the unique soft texture.
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Sculpture size:
18.5 x 106 cm / 4.5 cm thickness / 8 cm thickness with coral
Frame size:
30.5 x 118 cm (Handmade Mahogany Wood)
10 kg total weight
Vol. 6
"The Coral Wall" Sculpture Series Volume 6
Transformation of a rescued coral to a unique sculpture..
Two rescued coral pieces from debris of the nearly 200 year-old house restoration area in the Heart of Sharjah and 600+ year-old Turkish Olivewood piece came together using Black epoxy resin.
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Hand-carved white oak base and brass pipe.
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Sculpture size:
16 x 17 cm / 6 cm thickness
Base size:
11 x 15 cm / 4,5 cm thickness
Total height: 31 cm
Vol. 7 "The Carriers of Coral"
The Coral Wall Sculpture Series Volume 7, also called “Carriers of Coral”, explores old maritime stories embedded in the UAE's: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah’s coral architecture.
Carved wooden forms, shaped like Arabian Dhows (Traditional Sailing Boats), carry coral fragments—symbolizing the historic sea journeys with a glimpse of heritage that brought building materials, culture, and memory across the Gulf.
The past floats in the grain of each wooden piece while echoing the movement of wind and tide. Then, it settles in the pores of the corals, speaking of time, erosion, and life.
And now, that journey continues with this art piece—held in stillness and resilience, yet always in motion. Hopefully, the stories it carries find new life through viewers' eyes.
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Sculpture size:
120 x 90 cm
Vol. 8
"The Coral Wall" Sculpture Series Volume 8
Mini Sculpture
12 hand-carved American walnut wood pieces
11 hand-picked coral skeletons with walnut wooden base. Total 23 pieces
Pearl white epoxy resin
Finishing oil & waxed finished
Black paint Mahogany wood base
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Sculpture Size:
13 x 21 cm / 3 cm thickness /
Base size:
8 x 12 x 2.5 cm
Total height: 23.5 cm , Weight: 686 gr
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