Art in the Workspace: A Dinner Debate Turned Business Win

I was recently at one of my favorite spots in Dubai—Ibn Al Bahr at Club Vista Mare on the Palm—enjoying some amazing seafood with great friends and a new couple they’d brought along. As usual, our dinner table buzzed with conversation, hopping from philosophy to global politics to social quirks. In Dubai, these discussions are a melting pot of perspectives—lively, insightful, sometimes heated, yet always liberating. What I love most is how we bond over both agreements and disagreements, even with people we’ve just met. By the end of the night, we’re friends, no matter how passionately we’ve debated.

Turns out, our new acquaintance was the CEO of a major UAE company. Naturally, talk shifted to my world—Art Painting Lab, my art consultancy and studio, and the role of art in urban and social spaces. Then came the challenge: “I love art at home,” he said, “but why should anyone, including my company, have it in the workspace?” He wasn’t convinced it belonged in an office. Fair question—and it put me on the spot.

My answer came fast: “Because art in the office is a declaration of who you are as a company and where you’re heading.” boom! It landed! (did you like my answer? I thought I did well). His eyes lit up, and I could see the wheels turning... I mean my statement provoked him into "introspecting" —Who are we? Where are we going? That spark turned into a deal by the time dessert arrived. Not a bad night’s work over grilled fish and good company!

Driving home, I kept mulling over his question. Why do companies put art in their offices? It’s stuck with me, so I’m putting my thoughts to 'paper'.

Art Isn’t What They Need—It’s What It Delivers

When companies approach me at Art Painting Lab for office art, they’re not really looking to procure art as an object—that’s not the core need. It’s like buying a car. You don’t need a car itself—what you’re after is the freedom to move, the safety of a solid build, the comfort of a smooth ride, the way it projects your style, the statement that it makes. The car’s just the vehicle (yes, pun intended) for those deeper desires and needs. Likewise, companies don’t need art as an object—they need what art brings.

They need a way to shake off the boring blank walls and turn a workspace into a living, breathing hub. They need a spark—something to jolt creativity in a brainstorming session or soothe stress during a crunch. They need a mirror reflecting their identity—innovation for a tech firm, gravitas for a legal practice, community for a local business. They need a magnet to pull in top talent and a handshake to impress clients the moment they walk in.

They are looking for a story, and art is a good storeyteller!

A Declaration of Confidence

Today’s office isn’t just a place to work—it’s a statement. Companies with art-filled spaces signal they’ve moved past survival mode into a phase of confidence and culture-building. Think of urban theorist Lewis Mumford’s city lifecycle: businesses that invest in art aren’t scraping by in basic “eopolis” mode—they’re thriving in the realm of metropolises, dynamic and influential. Art declares, “We’re not just here; we’re here to lead.”

A Mirror for Culture

Culture isn’t abstract—it’s lived. A curated piece on the wall tells employees their space matters, boosting morale, it tells them that management thought about them - it tells an employee that someone up in management made some considerable effort, commissioned a piece of artwork, largely because they wanted them to just enjoy it everyday since they spend 1/3 of their lives in the office. It tells clients this is a place of vision and care. At Art Painting Lab, we’ve turned lobbies into bold brand statements and break rooms into creative oases—because first impressions should last.

A Catalyst for Inspiration

Art isn’t just eye candy—it’s practical and research proved that it lifts productivity and reduces stress. A mural can ignite the next big idea; a sculpture can steady nerves before a pitch. We’ve seen it firsthand— Art’s a tool for growth, not a luxury.

A Leadership Play

When a CEO greenlights art, they’re strategizing, not decorating. It’s a choice to see the workspace as a platform for perception—internal pride, external trust. Bold, playful pieces hint at a forward-thinking culture; timeless works nod to stability. Bare walls? That might whisper neglect. We help leaders at Art Painting Lab make their vision tangible, from custom murals to subtle prints.

From Dinner to Deal: Art Tells Your Story

Back at Ibn Al Bahr, that CEO didn’t just buy art—he bought into what it could do for his company. It’s why workspaces matter—art isn’t decor, it’s a declaration of who you are and where you’re going. It’s a boost for your people, a lure for talent, a handshake to the world.

So, whether you’re an interior designer hunting for a reliable art partner or a leader ready to tell your company’s story, let’s talk. At Art Painting Lab, we consult, design, and create artwork that becomes your mirror, your spark, your statement. Contact us today—let’s craft something extraordinary to inspire.

Sam Kaufmann

Founder & Creative Director of Art Painting Lab