Qatar Museums, under the leadership of its Chairperson, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, has inaugurated three significant exhibitions at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. These shows present a distinctive opportunity to delve into the diverse world of contemporary art from Qatar and the wider region.
Running from April to August 9, 2025, the program features a comprehensive overview of Qatari art from the 1960s to the present day, the inaugural extensive exhibition dedicated to the late Qatari artist Wafa Al Hamad, and an innovative international presentation of film and video art originating from the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
The opening event saw the attendance of key figures including Qatar Museums CEO Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, HE Mathaf President Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed Al-Thani, and HE Chairman of Media City Qatar, Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali bin Saud Al-Thani, among other esteemed guests.
Collectively, these three exhibitions offer a compelling insight into Qatar's artistic development, providing the public with a chance to examine the interplay of local heritage, individual artistic expression, and global art trends through a variety of creative perspectives. They form part of the Spring 2025 Season of Qatar Creates, a platform designed to elevate Qatar's creative sectors and foster cultural activities across the nation.
"Qatar: Close to My Soul, Art from the Collection of Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani" traces the evolution of Qatari artistic creation from the late 1960s to the present. Inspired by Abdullah Al Hammadi's renowned poem and song, "Allah ya Omri Qatar," the exhibition is structured around three themes: the beauty of Qatar's natural environment and architecture, portrayals of its society, and the realm of abstract art. These visual interpretations serve as both personal expressions and cultural responses to the rapid transformations within the local context, together forming a unique visual language that engages with broader artistic conversations in the region. Notable works on display include Faraj Daham's "Sealine Landscape" (1996) and Jameela Al Shraim's "The Victory" (1984), among many others.
Concurrently on display, "Wafa Al Hamad: Sites of Imagination" marks the first solo museum exhibition honoring the late Qatari artist. Celebrated for her abstract explorations, Al Hamad's figurative and landscape paintings incorporate vivid hues and organic forms while also honoring Qatari traditions. This exhibition highlights the progression of the artist’s style throughout her four-decade career and her enduring impact as both an artist and an educator. Beyond her paintings, the exhibition explores Al Hamad’s connections with other pioneering Arab women artists, such as Madiha Omar, Nadira Mahmoud, Balqees Fakhro, Samia Halaby, Naziha Salem, and Helen Khal. Key pieces include Al Hamad's "The Tower of Barzan" and "Optical Illusion," both from 1985, presented alongside a selection of other significant works.
These exhibitions are presented alongside "Your Ghosts Are Mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices," which features the work of over 40 filmmakers and video artists from the Arab world, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The exhibition delves into themes of exile, migration, and the intricate dynamics of transnational movements. Originally showcased at the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 2024, it unfolds across ten immersive sections within seven galleries, each dedicated to concepts such as deserts (origins of civilization and places of renewal), ruins (cultural remnants), borders (boundaries between permitted and forbidden spaces), and exile. Among the compelling works featured are Sophia Al Maria’s "Black Friday" (2016), Wael Shawky’s "Al Araba Al Madfuna Part III" (2016), and Hassan Khan’s "Jewel" (2010).
