8 minute read
Girls Overcoming Gender Norms
Leading Emirati Artist Goes Back to School
Even in his hometown of Dubai, many people are unfamiliar with his name. Thousands of people, on the other hand, are instantly familiar with his distinctive artistic style - marker ink drawings framed in square pieces that capture humorous takes on everyday life.
Advertisement
Abdulla Lutfi is a young and vibrant Emirati artist who sees and interprets the world in an unusual and original way. Creativity, of course, requires courage, and Abdulla has plenty of that. What’s more, as a person of determination, he believes that his art has a special value to society in that it allows him to convey an often overlooked viewpoint on the world.
It was something of a thrill, therefore, when Abdulla returned to his alma mater, Uptown International School, Dubai, from where in graduated in 2010. And it wasn’t just to say “hello”; he led a workshop for the entire Secondary School, creating a piece of art that led to an online presentation to over 600 students, who were then able to follow his guidance to create a piece of art of their own.
It was a rousing day for everyone, and another very special occasion for Abdulla, who earlier this year appeared in a video announcing the ‘greatest show on earth’ – Expo 2020. Featured alongside some of the biggest names in the Arab world, such as Emirati singer Hussain Al-Jassmi and American-Lebanese Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Mayssa Karaa, Abdulla was on screen for around 10 seconds where he is shown working on a canvas and walking around the venue, marvelling at the many amazing structures.
Well-known for his astonishing memory, attention to detail, and the spontaneity he brings to his work, Abdulla’s art enjoys a permanent space at the DXB Terminal B as part of a diorama that illustrates daily scenes at the busy airport. He has a couple of sold-out solo exhibitions too and has fulfilled several commissions from hotels, banks and retail stores. Moreover, Abdulla has illustrated a children’s colouring book, commissioned by the Embassy of the UAE in Washington D.C., and also gives speed drawing workshops and demonstrations to schools and other organisations. He is a multi-talented guy - even competing in the Special Olympic World Games held in Abu Dhabi, where he picked up a Bronze Medal in Doubles Bowling.
Abdulla, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s as a boy, continues to grow as a person and as a gifted artist. He aspires to raise awareness and promote inclusion of the special needs community through his artwork and is an inspirational presence for everyone he comes into contact with.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. And that is what Abdulla achieves ... with just a splash of humour to brighten the day.
PLAY VIDEO
EXCLUSIVE TUESDAY DISCOUNT FOR TEACHERS AT THAT HAIR THO
We are well into the school year now and teachers are working incredibly hard to keep the kids of Dubai educated and entertained. That Hair Tho (THT) understands the commitment it takes to be a teacher and is eternally grateful for their efforts, which is why it wants to celebrate them by offering OFFERING all teachers in the UAE an ALL TEACHERS exclusive 30% discount IN THE UAE AN every Tuesday. All teachers EXCLUSIVE need to do is present their unique Teachers’ Card when 30% DISCOUNT paying to avail themselves of the 30% discount – that’s it! This is just a small gesture to thank all the amazing teachers for their work and effort, offering them just a little bit of much-needed TLC at an extra-special price.
THE MINDFUL TEACHER’S TOOLKIT
The Mindful Teacher’s Toolkit provides step-by-step instructions for developing mindful practises, as well as suggestions for how to incorporate them into the classroom.
The book provides comprehensive guidance on how to engage with various age groups, ranging from 4 to 18, and examines whole-school approaches through individual subject areas and implementation strategies.
All of the exercises are adaptable by language, tone, and subject so that teachers may apply and personalise them into their classroom. They are designed so that you can dip into each chapter. Expert advice, teaching techniques, reflections, exercises, and real-life examples combine to give you everything you need to create your own mindful classroom and contribute to enhancing school community welfare.
The authors know their stuff, too. Kevin Hawkins is a speaker, consultant, and teacher trainer. For over 40 years, he has worked with children and adolescents in a variety of settings, including teacher, school principal, and social worker in the UK, Europe and Africa. He has taught students of all ages in both public and private schools, with a focus on holistic development of the full child through combining academic, social, and emotional elements of learning.
Co-author, Amy Burke, is an educational consultant who worked as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor in Canada and the Netherlands for 15 years. She graduated from Naropa University with a Master’s Degree in contemplative education and cofounded MindWell in 2012. Amy, a CARE (Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education) facilitator, conducts seminars and retreats for educators, students, and parents all over the world, with a focus on selfcare and stress management.
The Mindful Teacher’s Toolkit fills a yawning gap in the world’s most important mission – teaching.
And in doing so, it highlights the fact that mindfulness-based well-being, fostered consciously and pursued intentionally, can help students discover additional meaning in their learning.
For mindful educators, the Mindful Teacher’s Toolkit is a must-have resource, packed with hard-won insights and practical lesson plans that aim to expand students’ skills in areas such as self-awareness, selfmanagement and relationships. Highly recommended.
FROM AED86.17 BUY HERE
WHY LEGOLAND® DUBAI IS A MUST THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Join Festive Bricktacular at LEGOLAND® Dubai this holiday season for some festive family fun. From 15 December through 8 January 2022, kids can participate in a variety of activities ranging from making LEGO® decorations, playing LEGO bingo and decorating cupcakes to watching the snow fall and locating LEGO Santa during his surprise visits. At the fantastic new LEGOLAND Countdown to Christmas, all of this is capped off by daily giveaways and presents.
LEGOLAND Dubai began its awesome brand new daily Christmas Countdown from 5 to 25 December in MINILAND. Here, an incredible four-metre high Advent Calendar awaits everyone with presents and gifts worth AED40,000 behind its doors. Every day until Christmas Day, one young winner will get to open one big door of this huge Advent Calendar and will take an awesome LEGO prize home. LEGOLAND Dubai invites families to take part in a wide range of activities, whether taking part in the Christmas LEGO Build, where they are invited to place their LEGO creations around the festive tree, or simply watching the daily magical elves dance performances. LEGO Santa will also make exclusive appearances every day to greet his young fans. To extend the fun even further, the unique festive LEGO bingo returns this year, where all children can play this game of chance at MINILAND. Parents who want to treat their children can enrol them in the daily festive cupcake decorating workshops at ‘The Café’ terrace, where they can express their inner chef and later take their adorned cupcakes home. Moreover, parents longing to mark this unforgettable day can take some festive photos at the 10-metre-high LEGO® DUPLO festive tree or at the one-and-only Santa’s LEGO sleigh, while sipping one of the newly introduced Christmas beverages, whether Peppermint Mocha Christmas Cookie Frappe and Chocolate Raspberry Delight at ‘The Café’ in Factory Street.
Throughout the Festive Bricktacular at LEGOLAND® Dubai, all young foodies should ensure they do not miss the special ‘Kids Eat for Free’* offer at Caesar’s Pizza & Pasta Buffet, where they can enjoy a wide variety of healthy salads, vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas, delicious pasta, lasagne, and unlimited ice cream. Youngsters may also choose their favourite pasta and watch the chef create it in front of them at the ‘cheese wheel.’
For families looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for their youngsters, they don’t need to look any further than The BIG Shop, which is also offering an awesome Early Bird Discount for those early risers to enjoy a 10% discount every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 9:00 am and 9:45 am before the Park opens. Furthermore, guests will receive exclusive wrapping paper complimentary on their purchases from 12 to 31 December. The BIG Shop is the largest LEGO® store in the Middle East, featuring the biggest and most diverse selection of LEGO boxes and novelty items, LEGOLAND souvenirs and personalized LEGO gifts. Upon completing all Bricktacular activities and enjoying a full filled day at LEGOLAND Dubai, a limited-edition festive LEGO Collector’s brick is complimentary for families to collect before heading back home.
