Amin Abbas

DUBAI: Emirati Comics is a doctoral research project by Sarah Nesti Willard, who works at Al Ain’s United Arab Emirates University, that highlights local artists to promote them worldwide.

The project began in 2022 to showcase the UAE artist community. “(These artists) can be considered the first generation of pioneer artists, many of whom have self-taught themselves how to draw, turning their passion into a profession,” Willard told Arab News Japan. 

While there are other associations in the UAE that highlight the artist community, Willard’s research project is an attempt to showcase it through academic research.

“It is an attempt to contribute to the localization of their movement as a unique branding, and this is why it is important to showcase their art in exclusive and well-established associations and museums,” she said. 

“Establishing a representative group of Emirati illustrators and graphic artists will help towards the consolidation of Emirati Comics and illustrations as a new cultural trend, a proper artistic movement, both here and abroad,” she added. “This is very important because when art books and catalogues are written, these artists are automatically categorized as a new artistic movement. Their work becomes part of the country’s cultural legacy.”

The researcher faced many challenges while launching her projects, such as reaching out to multiple artists and not hearing back.

“I’m grateful to those who have reached out and agreed to collaborate, as I understand that it’s difficult to trust someone who you don’t know well and engage in a project that’s lengthy, even if it is beneficial for both parties in the long run,” Willard reflected. 

Additionally, she had to find places and sponsors for her project herself. “It takes a lot of energy to create concepts, make lists of artists, give details to associations and make sure that all the details are correct,” she said. “This is also fun because I am seeing this project slowly growing and taking shape in the real world.”

The project has been showcased in Italy and Spain. It will be shown in Abu Dhabi’s Manarat al Saadiyat Museum of Modern Art from September 21 to 30 October. It will also be shown in the United Kingdom in 2025. Willard shared that some illustrators were suggesting exhibiting in Japan, which is an idea that she does not mind.