Known around Dubai’s art scene as Yun Kusanagi, the Moroccan-born artist is the latest creative to take part in the second edition of the Artist in Hotel Residence programme at 25hours Hotel One Central, in partnership with World Art Dubai.
Over three weekends, Yun transformed a hotel suite into his private studio, turning the everyday rhythms of the hotel into bold, expressive canvases. The result is a brand-new body of work titled 4019 - Traces, on view in the hotel lobby later this month.
Simply put, it is inspired by Yun’s residence and observations at 25hours Hotel One Central.
The AIR (Artist in Residence) programme began at 25hours Hotel Langstrasse in Zurich and has since found a natural home in Dubai.
Now in its second edition at 25hours Hotel One Central, it is all about giving artists space, time, and trust to create something honest. Yun has done exactly that.
This isn’t just some abstract experiment with shapes and colour. Yun has a way of tuning into his surroundings and translating energy into something visual. He captures moments that most of us would miss, the hum of conversations, shifts in mood, the way light changes throughout the day. All of this comes through in textured, layered paintings that feel both deeply personal and easy to connect with.
Yun grew up in Casablanca and spent time in the UK before moving to the UAE two years ago. This mix of cultures and experiences feeds into his work, which blends the emotion of abstract expressionism with the grit and pulse of street art. His paintings have a rhythm of their own, shifting between loud and quiet, controlled and chaotic. There is honesty in the way he works. It is instinctive and raw, but always thoughtful.
You might have seen his work at World Art Dubai (WAD) earlier this year, where he exhibited with Artezaar. WAD 2025 introduced his style to a wider audience, but this new residency is something else entirely. It is slower, more reflective, more connected to a space.
Art in the Middle: How do your own thoughts and emotions influence the stories your art tells?
Yun: My art and my thoughts are really connected; it’s like they speak the same language. I’ve always been a storyteller, and when I describe something to people, they sometimes think I’m exaggerating… but honestly, I feel things at full volume! I’ve got a lot of passion, and painting is the perfect outlet for that. I’m genuinely so grateful to have art as a way to express myself with no limits.
Art in the Middle: How does your upcoming exhibition connect with the identity and atmosphere of 25hours Hotel, and what elements of the space have influenced your creative approach?
Yun: Every corner of the 25hours Hotel played a part in shaping how I approached this art project. Before the residency even began, I spent time walking through the space - taking in the flow of the day, the shift from morning to night, and how guests move through it all. There's something about the in-between moments, the quiet transitions, that really spoke to me. I just showed up as myself and let the space guide me. That sense of authenticity, of simply being present, is what shaped the work.
Art in the Middle: Acrylic paint seems to be an important part of your work. How does it help you express your ideas and feelings?
Yun: I’ve always loved working with acrylic; it just suits me. It’s super versatile and the fact that it dries quickly means there’s no time to overthink. You have to commit to the moment, and I absolutely love that. When I’m telling a story through my work, I don’t want to pause or wait around, it’s about capturing how I feel right then. Acrylic keeps me in that headspace. I think I’ll be using it for a long time, it’s what I know, and honestly, it’s what I love.
Art in the Middle: How does living in a diverse, multicultural environment influence the mood and meaning of your work?
Yun: It’s all over the place, in the best way! Living in Dubai, I’m surrounded by so many cultures, stories and perspectives, and that energy definitely finds its way into my work. My canvases are never boring because my environment never is. I hope that when people see my art, it sparks something real, an honest conversation between the work, the viewer, and even the space it lives in, like the hotel. That connection means everything to me.
Yun’s new collection will officially launch at the end of October. We’ll keep you posted.
Look closely when you visit the lobby. Every canvas reflects a moment Yun lived, observed, or felt during the residency.
Visit: 25hours-hotels.com | instagram.com/yun_kusanagi
Hayley is passionate about everything 90s, from art and fashion to music. Her love for glossy, artful coffee table books started early during her days in book publishing and has only grown since. She collects luxury magazines from around the world, enjoys exploring creative workshops around the city, and always chases dinners with a view, preferably by the beach.
