Khalifa Al Qattan, Title unknown, 1958, Oil on hardboard, 50 x 65 cm
Until February 9, 2014
Artists: Dia Azzawi, Farid Belkahia, Faraj Daham, Manal al-Dowayan, Ismail Fattah, Wafa Al Hamad, Adam Henein, Saif Al Kuwari, Hussein Madi, Tariq Ibrahim, Baya Mahieddine, Mohammed El Melehi, Sami Mohammed, Rafa al-Nasiri, Ahmed Nawar, Shirin Neshat, Khalifa Al Qattan, Munqith Said, Abbes Saladi, Ibrahim El Salahi, Faisal Samra, Jewad Selim, Seif Wanly.
Mathaf’s Collection of modern and contemporary art is built as an ambitious project, using art as a tool to understand histories of human civilization. This exhibition features a diversity of paintings, sculptures and projects drawn from the museum’s collection, and offers an insight into artistic scenes from a large geography that would correspond to the concept of an Arab World. Like the Tower of Babel, this exhibition makes possible the coexistence of artists, ideas and productions connecting the continents of Africa, Asia and Anatolia.
The concept of a garden expresses the idea of culture, the diversity of Mathaf’s unique Collection of modern and contemporary art, and tells of multiple histories to be explored. The modern museum is a place for intellectual and artistic production that responds to the need of society to recognize and validate its values and creativity, or to examine its history and perspective of development. Mathaf is geographically located in a large-scale urban area that is growing on the edges of Doha, one of the most active zones for cultural projects in the region. The image of a Paintings, Sculptures and Projects Garden refers to art histories and to the urban projects that influence artistic creation.
A painting by Khalifa Al Qattan produced in 1958 illustrates the idea of the Arabic Dream that is understood as a political utopian project that connects the Arab world from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans. This ideal world is frequently illustrated in modern and contemporary arts and literature.
The Paintings, Sculptures and Projects Garden exhibition will be cultivated to grow with new works from Mathaf’s Collection, using multiple languages and voices to explore different narratives. The concept behind this project is also to offer direct access to art for Qatar residents and visitors, and to share histories using research and education projects within the museum.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha
Piazza, Garden, Library and First Floor Gallery
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