Muscat – Under the enchanting lights of Muscat Nights, public spaces have been transformed into vibrant open-air canvases as graffiti art takes centre stage, adding a bold contemporary dimension to the festival and drawing strong engagement from the community.
Once viewed largely as a form of individual expression, graffiti has evolved into a powerful visual language that reflects the perspectives of youth and creates dialogue between artists and society. The participation of graffiti artists in Muscat Nights forms part of the festival’s broader objective to promote artistic and cultural awareness, while offering a genuine platform for expressing identity, belonging and creative aspirations beyond traditional artistic boundaries.
Graffiti artist Hood bin Ismail al Balushi described the medium as “free art that exists outside formal frameworks”.
“Through graffiti, you can express yourself without restrictions and assert your identity within society. It is a form of visual art rooted in self-expression,” he said.
Reflecting on his participation in Muscat Nights, Balushi explained that his creative ideas were shaped by the nature of the event itself. “When I take part as a graffiti artist at Muscat Nights, the concept emerges from the occasion and what the event represents. The artwork may reflect the spirit of the festival or express Omani values such as heritage and what we, as Omanis, take pride in,” he noted.
He added that graffiti offers artists the ability to address issues openly and directly, or through subtle visual messages that convey personal or collective views, describing the art form as “a voice for those who have no voice”.
Muadh bin Suhail al Mughizwi, another participating graffiti artist, said Muscat Nights provided a valuable opportunity to redefine graffiti within Omani society and reposition it within the cultural and artistic landscape.
“The experience reinforces confidence in the creativity and capabilities of Omani youth and helps shape a more accurate and expressive image of graffiti art,” he said.
Mughizwi pointed out that the scale of participation, the organisation of the space and the size of the artworks made the experience distinct, alongside the high level of interaction with visitors. “While large crowds — especially children — can sometimes interrupt your train of thought while painting, each experience has its own beauty. The diversity of spaces often leads to new creative ideas,” he added.
Meanwhile, graffiti artist Yousuf bin Hilal al Ghamlasi said Muscat Nights had played an important role in highlighting existing Omani talents and providing them with a platform to engage directly with the public. “The festival helped transform these artistic energies into tangible creative value within the event,” he said.
Ghamlasi noted that integrating graffiti into Muscat Nights introduced local audiences and international visitors to skilled Omani artists, presenting national identity through a contemporary visual lens. “This has turned visual art into a cultural and tourist attraction that extends beyond the limits of traditional galleries,” he explained.
He also emphasised the importance of collaboration among artists, saying collective work strengthened artistic concepts, enhanced visual impact and fostered a strong spirit of cooperation, resulting in a more cohesive and visually rich experience.
