Dubai’s cultural landscape is celebrating a significant new addition. Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has unveiled Ode to a Camel, a breathtaking art book that captures the spirit of the UAE’s most iconic animal through a fusion of fine art photography and poetry. The exclusive launch ceremony was held at Dubai Mall on May 16, attended by a distinguished gathering of dignitaries, artists, and cultural enthusiasts.
A Poetic Lens on Heritage
Published by world-renowned luxury imprint Assouline, Ode to a Camel is far more than a typical coffee-table volume. It presents a deeply personal project by Sheikha Latifa, whose lens explores the camel not just as a beast of the desert, but as a living vessel of Emirati memory, resilience, and tradition. The book pairs her evocative photography with poetic texts that illuminate the profound bond between the people of the UAE and their cultural heritage.
The work is the result of years of dedication. Sheikha Latifa documented the intricate details of camels’ lives, from their individual personalities and behaviors to their historic role as travel companions and pillars of survival in the harsh desert landscape.
A Creative Mentorship
Fine art photographer Antonio Saba served as a creative mentor during part of her photographic journey, and he was effusive in his praise at the launch.
“My role was limited to offering a few tools and directions,” Saba explained. “The transformation of those ideas into the extraordinary visual and emotional language of Ode to a Camel was entirely the result of Her Highness’s exceptional talent