Manga Meets Emirati Culture at This Upcoming Exhibition in Dubai

Dubai’s Mestaria Gallery in Alserkal Avenue has just announced an upcoming exhibition that’ll definitely have all the manga fans out there more than just a little excited—’LUFFY X LUTFI: EMIRATI MANGA’, an exhibition by Emirati artist Abdulla Lutfi.

Running from December 12th, 2024, to January 2nd, 2025, the showcase weaves Emirati culture into Japanese manga, offering a fresh perspective on storytelling, art, and, well, manga.

Known for his black-and-white illustrations, Abdulla takes a nuanced approach to his art, aiming to visually portray his perspective as an artist on the autism spectrum. Drawing inspiration from 90s and 2000s Japanese anime, his art integrates Emirati traditions, iconic landmarks, and everyday life with manga's dynamic storytelling. Highlights include reimagined characters from global phenomenon ‘One Piece’, like Luffy wearing a kandora and other popular characters from the manga series depicted against Dubai’s skyline. Additionally, Abdulla’s creative use of Arabic-English dialogue adds a modern twist, creating a relatable fusion of cultures.

For the first time, Abdulla’s works will also feature animated elements, bringing his stories to life on a daily basis from 10 AM to 7 PM.