Autistic artist’s take on life in Gulf set to make big waves
A quirky and insightful take on Dubai, from camel beauty pageants to a love for high-end labels, can be seen at an exhibition by Emirati artist Abdullah Lutfi.
In his first solo event, thick black marker drawings capture the city’s skyline and snapshots of life in the Gulf.
“That’s how I see it. I saw it in my brain – the tiger. I saw Burj Khalifa also. I remember Chanel like a double C and two Gucci’s attached like a face,” said Lutfi, who has autism and has been drawing since he was four years old.
Some of the striking illustrations are humorous, showing preening camels looking on, bored, as thrilled owners celebrate their winnings. Others show sensitivity, like a sketch portraying a maid thinking of her hometown while pushing a pram with a plump child dreaming of fast food, as young women are immersed in Snapchat and designer handbags.
“I like black and white the best because it reminds me of comic books. I also put words into it like in the comic books,” said Lutfi.
“I remember seeing a Filipino maid, maybe she was thinking of her family. I drew her pushing a fat boy who wants to eat chicken nuggets.”
Lutfi’s distinctive take on life drew the attention of the Cuadro gallery by pushing the boundaries of artwork created by special-needs groups. Lutfi paints at Mawaheb art studio for adults.
“He tells the story of Dubai from an inside perspective and tells it honestly, so there is a real beauty. It’s funny, it can be biting, but the humour is fair and clever. After having studied one of his compositions, you do feel like you are a bit closer to the city. It’s almost like an insider’s guide,” said Roberto Lopardo, director of Cuadro gallery, where Lutfi’s exhibition opened yesterday.
“I was approached in the context of whether we would like to assist with Mawaheb as a charity organisation. But when I looked at his work I was excited and thought we should not deal with it as charity but as an artist who is making really interesting work. It’s about representing a new artist.”
Mr Lopardo, who has worked with young and established artists globally, described Lutfi as a rare talent.
“I have struggled when I go back home to the United States to explain the dynamic nature of this country to people,” he said.
“Not many artists are able to capture the soul and spirit of a city. It’s easy to take pictures of Burj Khalifa but it’s complicated to explain the nuances of how people live.”
Lutfi’s art teachers said some ideas were sparked when students watched videos, such as the camel beauty contest in
the UAE, and were encouraged to discuss it.
“As he watched the documentary he understood what goes on in a pageant,” said Gulshan Kavarana, Lutfi’s teacher.
“He never uses a pencil or eraser, he uses a marker pen and has developed his unusual style of depicting men and women.
“His work shows different walks of life and cultures mingling. He is sharing through art.”
Lutfi’s passion was discovered and supported in the studio over the past six years. He now speaks at workshops and is commissioned by companies to work on special pieces.
His mother, Amal Yousuf Baker, said as a child he would draw when he could not express himself.
“If he wanted an apple he would draw it,” she said. “I knew his paintings were something different, but to have his own exhibition has amazed and astonished everyone.”
Therapists recommended he enrol in regular school. The challenge later was to find him a place after school ended.
The family saw change when he joined the Mawaheb studio.
“Even his behaviour changed a lot. Before he was OK with family, but now he talks and can express his feelings with others also.”
Wemmy de Maaker, Mawaheb’s director, said the recognition was important for Lutfi who signs his work “AL”.
“When a gallery takes on an artist, they help to develop his skills, bring awareness of his talent. This is what we hope for Abdullah, that people will hear about his work. The goal was to find his passion.”
Abdullah Lutfi’s first exhibition will run until October at the Cuadro gallery, Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai.
Lutfi’s childhood means of expression has become his frank and often comic window on the world of Gulf life