Emirati Manga by Abdulla Lutfi at Mestaria Gallery

The adventures of Monkey-D Luffy, from the popular Japanese Manga series One Piece has forever fascinated Emirati artist Abdulla Lutfi. His endearing love for anime, inspired him to create a whole new series of artworks blending Japanese Manga and Emirati culture. Luffy X Lutfi, the artist’s latest exhibition opens at Mestaria Gallery, Dubai, on December 12, 2024.

“I was exposed to so much Manga in my childhood that it impacted my art and led me to draw in black and white. It has been my biggest influence. I am even known as the black and white artist,” Abdullah tells Middle East Masala.

In this new series, the artist, who is on the autism spectrum, has re-imagined Luffy, the main protagonist in One Piece created by Eiichiro Oda, wearing the Kandura, symbolising cultural fusion and universal heroism. The black and white sketches reminiscent of old traditional comic books represent storytelling techniques from Japanese Manga while offering a peek into everyday life in the UAE. Along with Luffy, other One Piece characters have been portrayed against the backdrop of Dubai’s iconic skyline as they are depicted as visitors to the UAE, imagining their adventures through a local lens.

“The whole idea for the exhibition came during a conversation with my mentor Gulshan Kavarana. The idea was unique, but it was not easy to execute,” shares Abdulla. “First, I changed the outfits of the characters and made them wear the Emirati Kandura, Gutra and Agal. I added some more local flavour by giving them dialogues in Arabic.”

Born and raised in Dubai, Abdulla has made a mark for himself in the world of art. He’s recognized for his bold, black & white illustrations that offer a sharp and humorous take on everyday life. His spontaneous line drawings enriched with witty and irony capture the essence of UAE culture, turning the ordinary into extraordinary. As an artist on the autism spectrum, his work reflects a distinctive unfiltered view of the world that has been showcased in numerous exhibitions across the UAE.

Luffy X Lutfi is on till January 2, 2025 at Mestaria Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai.           https://mestaria.art/