Wynn Al Marjan Island has announced the debut of a museum-calibre art collection when the resort opens in Spring 2027, positioning art as a central pillar of its identity.
Presented across public spaces, guest areas and private rooms, the collection will function as a “living gallery,” integrating works of significant historical, cultural and artistic value throughout the resort.
The collection spans a wide range of periods and disciplines, from prehistoric artefacts and Old Master works to contemporary sculpture and newly commissioned pieces by regional and international artists. Among the highlights is a 66-million-year-old Triceratops skull, a specially commissioned Light into Life sculpture by British artist Marc Quinn and a monumental 17th-century wool-and-silk tapestry whose counterparts reside in the Louvre and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wynn will also bring major artworks from its global properties to Ras Al Khaimah, including Jeff Koons’ 11-metre Tulips from Wynn Las Vegas, a Jaume Plensa sculpture from the Secret Garden series previously shown at Encore Boston Harbour and a rare set of 18th-century Buccleuch vases first displayed at Wynn Palace in Macao.
A defining element of the collection is its contemporary reinterpretation of the East–West artistic dialogue that shaped 19th-century Orientalism. Rather than presenting these works through a Western lens, the collection returns historically significant paintings to the region that inspired them, many of which have remained in private collections for generations. Works such as Gustave Guillaumet’s Caravan in the Desert and Rudolf Ernst’s Entering the Temple are contextualised within a broader cultural narrative that emphasises historical accuracy and respect.
Contemporary regional voices also feature prominently. Algerian artist Faïza Maghni contributes in-room and suite artworks inspired by the visual language of Persian miniatures, reinforcing Wynn’s commitment to commissioning site-specific works rather than acquiring art as standalone objects.
Throughout the resort, large-scale statement pieces anchor entrances and public areas, while more intimate works appear in more intimate spaces, creating a rhythm that encourages discovery and engagement. Art and architecture are designed in tandem, allowing each space to tell a story shaped by cultural dialogue, craftsmanship and place.
Commenting on the resort’s approach to art, Todd-Avery Lenahan, President and Chief Creative Officer of Wynn Design & Development, said: “Wynn Al Marjan Island’s approach to art goes far beyond acquisition. Beauty is a universal language, and by integrating art into the fabric of the resort, Wynn invites guests to discover these pieces in an informal yet engaging and meaningful way.”
Opening Spring 2027
Wynn Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Visit: wynnalmarjanisland.com
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
