Cartoon graphics are spread on the tools we need on a daily basis, and they take forms and ideas that blend in a cute and comfortable way between two aspects of the Emirati life, which is represented in the traditional way of life, whether from clothing, food, or behaviors, and adopting the spirit of modern life at the same time.
Maitha Hazza, the ideal model for the Emirati employee, and the wife and mother who is passionate about pen and color, who was able to transform those pleasant daily scribbles, into distinctive and innovative personalities that adorn products such as cups, brochures and fabric bags, which are spread today on the shelves of the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi for those wanting to acquire them.
These cartoon graphics are characterized by a spirit of novelty and creativity at the same time, you may find a woman in Emirati attire practicing yoga sometimes, or lying in the sunlight alongside an umbrella and a cup of juice, in an attempt from her, according to Maitha Hazzaa
For «Emirates Today», to convey «a clear message that the modern life in which Emirati women live cannot change or affect their adherence to their customs and decency, and that it is able to go through the daily life whatever it has evolved and changed without giving up her identity of a special nature very".
Free childhood
Metha adds: «Drawing has always been my medium of expression since my childhood, which my father was keen to support and develop as possible, and that my childhood was distinguished by its diversity, as I was constantly moving between our house in Al Ain, and my grandmother’s visit to my mother’s mother in Dubai, which I believe It was the biggest inspiration for the Emirati woman’s personality that I always draw. ” The Emirati creator continued: «Although I did not give that cartoon character a story, background or name, it always reminds me of my grandmother, who has always been a traditional Emirati woman in the full sense of the word, but at the same time she is flexible and loving, like all the old ladies of Dubai community, Open and different ».
And she affirms that the idea of tolerance and accepting difference and coexistence with it, while being keen on adhering to customs and traditions «among the qualities that we have grown up on and we were brought up by its principles by my father, who was loving to the other, and not opposed to difference, but rather was keen to see that and coexist with him, especially Through travel and experiences that permeate this, "indicating that all of this" may be a major factor in the tendency of Richty to draw characters in this traditional and modern way at the same time. "
Flexible characters
Maitha never thought about converting her works into products or exhibits. “But the repetition of this advice from those around me made me decide to show my drawings, and that was in 2003, and the matter gradually changed, and I became showcased at local exhibitions and events, such as those held in Qasr Al-Hosn, as well as I started printing them on bags, coffee mugs and (coaster) coffee cup holders. ”
And she continued: «I gradually began to choose ideas that are close and suitable to the requests of tourists, and it met with great popularity, as it reflects the Emirati identity in a gentle, light and cartoon way that helps to bring our soul closer and is a bridge of communication between us and the other», noting that art is a language of global rapprochement «no matter how small the project , Or a simple idea, but it is close to individuals of different nationalities and cultures, as it is able to reach the other easily.
Maitha explains that she has finally started, in agreement with companies and organizations to provide products of her own, “I make sure through these projects that I draw my characters in ideas that are close to the idea and spirit of the project or the destination and are similar to what they want to present, for example, I preferred that my characters who wear traditional Emirati clothes bike” ( Italian Vespa, for a cup project I presented to an Italian cafe in Abu Dhabi.
Naughty spirit
Metha continues: “Despite my keenness that my characters reflect the traditional Emirati spirit and identity, which also reflects my adherence and great love for my identity, she faces criticism from some, as I paint women in a comfortable and non-rigid way, with traditional Emirati galabia and the open sheila, where it seems A little hair appears, but at the same time I tend to paint her with a flexible, comfortable and unrestricted appearance, as if in her home, and at the same time there is nothing to prevent her from practicing a modern lifestyle, with an open global spirit without giving up her identity ».
Thanks to my father
Maitha Hazza's cartoon characters tend to have a somewhat rebellious spirit, which is due to her childhood: “I have never lived a restricted or puritanical life, thanks to my father who was keen to live various experiences and experiences in the way that helps me to I face life no matter how changed and different, as I was in my childhood I was playing a lot with children of my age, which added a touch of strength and naughty to my personality, which can be seen in my drawings as well, which I also strive to cultivate in my three children, in addition to developing a love of art in them , And the ability to express through it. ”
"My characters remind me of my grandmother, who has always been a traditional Emirati in the full sense of the word, yet she is flexible and loving."
Metha personalities lead the Italian "Vespa", practice yoga, and lie in the sunlight near an umbrella and a cup of juice.
"Adhering to customs and traditions is among the attributes that we have grown up with and have grown up with its principles."