New exhibition highlights growth of comic art in the United Arab Emirates

The work of comic artists in the United Arab Emirates and their depiction of issues around gender, cultural heritage and the pandemic will be shown in Britain for the first time.

The exhibition showcases Emirati illustrators and comic artists and how they use the medium to express themselves and their lives.

There is no cultural movement for this type of art in the UAE and this is an emergent, small group of artists who often collaborate. There is no database of them, or their work.

The exhibition highlights the emergence of Emirati pop culture, and how artists are blending diverse influences into new forms of self-expression that reflect modern Emirati identities. It features the works of 18 illustrators.

“Khaleeji Illustrations, Comics and Cartoons from the United Arab Emirates’ is curated by Sarah Nesti Willard, who is based in the country and researching the impact of the artwork. The artwork has previously been exhibited in Turin, the UAE and Barcelona. 

The work of Maha Almheiri expresses how the UAE is becoming a melting pot full of culture, ideologies, festivities and mannerisms.

The work of Amna Al Hammadi humorously explores the use of drones to deliver meals during Ramadan. The food container’s lid flies off mid-delivery, attracting birds that eat the meal. As a result, the drone arrives empty.

Asma Mohammed Alshehhi captures Emirati cultural heritage, with symbols representing hospitality, environmental adaptation, craftsmanship and Bedouin wisdom.

Nadia Alghaithi’s illustrations capture the elegance of female Emirati culture, showcasing the timeless beauty of traditions preserved in the UAE and how the splendour of appearances masks unspoken emotions beneath.

Khalid Mezaina depicts his longing for dance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the gap between isolation and the vibrant energy of Dubai’s dance floors, awaiting the day they could safely welcome him again

The work of Moza depicts a young woman sitting in a glass jar accompanied by fluttering blue butterflies to reflect her transformation, which is happening fast, but without losing the connection to her heritage. The image is set against the backdrop of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Also on display will be graphic novels by artists including Sumaia Alamoodi, Hamda Saad Alseiari and Iman Al Messabi.

The exhibition is displayed in the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies from the 2nd of April to the end of May.

In April artists will deliver workshops to IAIS students and researchers.

Artists will also take part in short online interviews, open to the public, during April and May, to introduce themselves and discuss their work. The conversation will be shared on the University’s social media channels.