In his latest solo exhibition, Faces of Dubai, Spanish artist Pedro Martin Rojo turns a mirror toward humanity—one portrait at a time. Held in the heart of Dubai, the show presents a powerful series of expressive faces that speak volumes without saying a word. Each canvas is a bold invitation to look closer, beyond the surface.

Rojo’s technique is deeply rooted in emotion. Every portrait is a meticulous study of eyes and skin, two universal features that transcend language, nationality, and background. In Faces of Dubai, the eyes aren’t just windows to the soul—they’re conversations in themselves. They reflect resilience, vulnerability, curiosity, and connection. Each gaze captured by Rojo holds an invisible thread to the viewer, pulling them into stories left untold.

Skin tone plays a central role in the exhibition—not just as pigment, but as a symbolic layer of our shared humanity. Rojo’s deliberate variation of skin color across his subjects makes a quiet yet powerful statement: we are all different, yet deeply connected. The subtle blending of tones across faces emphasizes how we are constantly shaped by one another—through culture, environment, and emotion.

What’s most compelling about Rojo’s work is that no portrait stands alone. Every face contributes to a wider dialogue about unity, diversity, and empathy. In a city as multicultural as Dubai, this theme resonates loudly. His art doesn’t separate—it binds. It reminds us that the human experience is collective, that no matter how far apart our origins may be, we are all touched by the people and places around us.

With Faces of Dubai, Pedro Martin Rojo delivers more than a series of portraits—he offers a moving visual narrative that captures the pulse of a global city and the people who define it. It’s not just about who we are, but how we see each other.

By Mirna El Osta – Beirut Art Magazine