GULF WEEKLY -
Bahraini artist Abdulla Yusuf is painting a nostalgic picture for a generation raised on the golden era of regional television.
The 25-year-old’s colourful illustrations from the 1990s and early 2000s bring alive beloved characters that many Arabs grew up watching, either drawing them by hand or on his iPad.
The creative’s chosen style and aesthetic are heavily inspired by Spacetoon, a TV channel that airs Japanese cartoons dubbed into Arabic, with its own futuristic themes, imagery and mythos.
Abdulla’s portfolio highlights retro, classic 1980s anime from a modern, heartfelt Gulf perspective.
Retro: A creation from the artist’s latest digital series inspired by the 60’s style
Capturing the sights and sounds of childhood with his drawings, Abdulla’s art evokes core memories for millennial and Gen Z audiences, who used to rush home every afternoon to catch their favourite show.
“I’ve always been obsessed with Spacetoon, and I still am to this day. It played such an important role in my childhood,” the Muharraq resident told GulfWeekly.
“My favourite shows were Digimon Adventure, Ojamajo Doremi, Hamtaro, and Strawberry Shortcake. I used to draw myself as a character in those shows as if I were part of them. I realised that others also enjoyed seeing visual reminders of their childhood and was eager to portray the feeling of longing through small details in my painting,” added the Bahrain University alumna.
Memories: Art depicting Hamtaro the hamster’s sleepover adventure
Spacetoon, which began broadcasting in 2000, was a staple for several generations of Arab children, and its dubbed Japanese animated classics resonated deeply with local values. With its space theme, it proclaims itself as the channel of the ‘Youth of the Future’.
Talking about his creative process, the self-taught artist, with a degree in media and communication, noted that he prefers using markers for the base and pencil colours for shading, and tries his best to use techniques that give his art warmth and represent his hobby.
The hand-drawn pieces have an analogue look, with moody lighting, grainy textures and imperfect lines resembling retro animation.
The illustrator explained that his grandfather, aunt and siblings all had artistic backgrounds, which is how he got inspired to start pursuing his passion.
“I was surrounded by sketchbooks and markers. I drew anime cartoon characters in my own way, which have now grown to be loved by others,” he added.
For Abdulla, sharing his art online has transformed into a communal experience, sparking conversations across generations of viewers who share the same nostalgic roots. In the comments under his drawings, people reminisce about specific shows and episodes that his art reminds them of, and share how cosy and comforting his art is.
“My favourite comment is ‘Thank you for reminding us of the beautiful past’. It means a lot to me and makes me proud of the content I present especially artworks that are targeted towards people from my generation and those who grew up in the 1990s,” he said.
Talent: Abdulla
Talking about his art goals, Abdulla revealed that he hopes to keep pushing the boundaries of how regional stories can be told through the canvases of classic animation styles. He has plans to explore sticker production and transform his art into animation on YouTube.
“I hope to expand my product range while keeping the beauty, colourfulness and youthfulness of my style,” he added.
For more on Abdulla’s creative journey, follow @abdxart__ on Instagram.
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