The Other Side Of Dubai

Words & Photography
by Amelia Le Brun









My father was posted to Dubai about years ago due to his work, and I spend my time between there, London for art school, and Somerset, where my mother lives.

The idea of documenting these men and their work came to me while driving through the centre of the city and admiring the architecture. (As always, as it is astounding). It suddenly dawned on me that when tourists and visitors think of Dubai they think of wealth, amazing buildings, and lots of good shopping. However, right in front of them, and seemingly invisible, are the men who actually built the city from the ground up not that long ago. It made me want to show people who was actually responsible for the city, not machines but real people, with brains and hearts and feelings.

However, right in front of them, and seemingly invisible, are the men who actually built the city from the ground up not that long ago.

Due to the city being in a constant state of upgrade, there are often workers milling about, building or cleaning or planning, but they are so insignificant to the consumer hungry tourists that they go unnoticed.

Most of the men are from surrounding areas, such as Oman and Pakistan, and have been shipped into Dubai from their native countries to build the city on minimum wage. I found it fascinating how they brought their cultures and ideologies with them. Particularly, how they recreate communities and build family-like relationships and friendships in such an alien environment, with constant jokes going back and forth, I suppose as a way of feeling comfort being so far from home.

On the whole they seem fairly content, however this could just be them making the most out of a not so favourable situation. Due to a language barrier I’m afraid I’ll never know.