Founder's Memorial

The Founder’s Memorial in Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, honours Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father. Its central artwork, The Constellation, brings his portrait into view through suspended geometric forms, with different perspectives around the installation revealing the image. Walk among native plants in the Sanctuary and Heritage gardens, then take the elevated path for views of the Arabian Gulf and the city. The visitor centre uses multimedia to introduce Sheikh Zayed’s life and the country’s history. The grounds are free to visit.

The Constellation

The memorial’s central artwork is a three-dimensional portrait of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s first president. Called The Constellation, it was designed by artist Ralph Helmick and sits within a pavilion around 30 metres high. Geometric forms hang at different positions, creating a portrait when viewed from particular points around the installation.

The work changes as you move through the space. From one position, the forms come together into Sheikh Zayed’s likeness; from another, they read as separate shapes suspended in the pavilion. After dark, lights illuminate the forms, giving the artwork a different appearance from its daytime view.

The gardens and elevated path

The landscaped grounds include a Sanctuary Garden with seating and a traditional falaj, an irrigation system used in the region. A separate Heritage Garden contains medicinal plants native to the desert. These garden paths offer a quieter part of the visit and space to pause between the outdoor artwork and the visitor centre.

An elevated walkway gives views across the Arabian Gulf and Abu Dhabi’s skyline, as well as back towards The Constellation. Take the route at your own pace and look for the changing views of the artwork as you move around the site.