The lion king – Adib Fattal

The drawing “The Lion King” by Adib Fattal, measuring 35 x 52 cm, is freely inspired by the famous film to offer a personal and dreamlike version. As usual, Fattal transposes the story in his unique style, mixing naive art and traditional motifs to create a joyful and abundant universe.

At the center of the composition, a large, bright pink sun dominates the sky, perhaps symbolizing power, life and the natural cycle. The sun is surrounded by decorative motifs reminiscent of stylized flowers and plants, giving the scene a festive and celebratory atmosphere. The clouds, also stylized and colorful, provide a visual contrast while maintaining a light and joyful atmosphere.

The hills in the background are decorated with geometric lines and patterns that evoke African landscapes, rich in color and shape. These hills, decorated with sinuous lines, are home to exotic trees and plants that seem almost dancing, symbolizing the abundance of nature and living in harmony with the environment.

On the rest of the scene, we find numerous characters and animals, stylized and integrated into a terraced composition. Each figure appears engaged in peaceful and harmonious activities, creating an image of a vibrant ecosystem where harmony reigns. The animals, although simplified, evoke the spirit of the savannah and iconic creatures of the film, but without the dramatic weight of Hollywood storytelling. Here, each being, whether human or animal, lives in symbiosis, and the drawing thus becomes a tribute to natural balance.

Bright colors — reds, greens, blues and oranges — are typical of Adib Fattal's work and reinforce the festive and optimistic character of the work. This choice of palette also evokes African landscapes and cultures, while reinterpreting them in an abstract and naive style that pays homage to the beauty of simplicity and innocence.

By removing shadows and flattening perspectives, Adib Fattal offers a world in which each element is seen in its full expression, without hierarchy or realistic depth. This gives the drawing a timeless and childlike quality, inviting us to rediscover the world with a look of wonder. This stylistic choice, inspired by Persian miniatures and Palestinian embroidery, gives “The Lion King” the appearance of a colorful mosaic where every detail has its importance.