Abdulla began his artistic journey in 2010, quickly establishing a distinctive black-and-white style that reflects his unique perspective as an artist on the autism spectrum. His art is characterised by bold line drawings and a unique ability to find humour and irony in everyday life. Deeply influenced by 90’s and early 2000’s Japanese anime and manga, Abdulla’s artwork draws from the storytelling techniques of Japanese manga while offering a never seen before fusion of culture and everyday life of the UAE. His illustrations provide insightful observations of Emirati traditions, iconic landmarks, and daily interactions, offering a glimpse into his candid view of the world. Abdulla’s specific choice to a monochrome palette is to keep true to the nostalgic essence he feels through drawing; he explains, “I am inspired by black and white as it is reminiscent of old traditional comic books.”
Describing himself as artistic and pure, Abdulla’s art offers a window of his unfiltered expression of cultural fusion and unique creativity. Each piece invites viewers to explore layers of comical detail, transforming ordinary moments into entertaining narratives. His ultimate goal is to make people smile and create moments of shared understanding and cultural synergy.
LUFFY X LUTFI: EMIRATI MANGA Blends Japanese manga and Emirati culture creating a unique artistic style inspired by Abdulla’s childhood love for anime, particularly the globally recognised Japanese manga series ‘One Piece’. Abdulla reimagines Luffy, the iconic protagonist wearing the ‘kandora’, where he becomes a symbol of cultural fusion and universal heroism. This depiction highlights themes of resilience, courage, and the belief that there is a hero in everyone. Along with Luffy, other ‘One Piece’ characters are portrayed against the backdrop of Dubai’s iconic skyline, as visitors to the UAE, imagining their adventures into the local cultural and urban landscapes, where he also creates the dialogue using a modern blend of Arabic and English dialect, using words like ‘Batal,’ which means hero in Arabic. Through this exhibition, Abdulla not only pays homage to his love for anime, but embraces the unifying power of art, storytelling and cultural fusion.
Mestaria Gallery invites audiences to the world of Abdulla Lutfi. LUFFY X LUTF promises fun, creativity, and identity. Stepping into a space where cultures converge, heroes emerge, and every detail unfolds a story. For the first time, visitors will also experience Abdulla’s artwork brought to life through dynamic animation.
Exhibition details:
Exhibition: “LUFFY X LUTFI: EMIRATI MANGA” by Abdulla Lutfi
Dates: Thursday 12December 2024 to Thursday 2 January 2025
Location: Mestaria Gallery Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 10am-7pm
For more information please visit: www.mestaria.art
About Abdulla Lutfi
Born and raised in Dubai, Abdulla Lutfi is a prominent Emirati artist recognised for his bold black-and-white illustrations that offer a sharp and humorous take on everyday life. His spontaneous line drawings, enriched with wit and irony, capture the essence of UAE culture, turning the ordinary into extraordinary through his insightful observations. As an artist on the autism spectrum, Abdulla’s work reflects a distinct, unfiltered view of the world, creating narratives that are both playful and impactful.
Abdulla has a strong interest in Japanese culture, particularly anime and manga, which has inspired a series of his recent works. His unique artistic voice has been showcased in numerous exhibitions across Dubai, as an independent artist earning widespread acclaim in the contemporary art scene.
About Mestaria Gallery
Mestaria Gallery is a contemporary, affordable, non-intimidating art space located in the heart of the dynamic Alserkal Avenue Art District in Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE. First established as a gallery space in the UAE in the 1990’s, it is now one of the region’s foremost contemporary art spaces, specialising in works from accomplished regional and global talent, with a specific focus on work of an Arabic, African and Asian origin.
For more details: https://mestaria.art
