Large black text on a light background displaying Q + A, representing Question and Answer.
A world map with purple markers shows numbered data clusters in North America, Europe, the Middle East, India, East Asia, and Australia, highlighting Art Basel Qatar among regions with the highest numbers in North America and Europe.

85+

Representatives from museums and foundations worldwide attended including, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (1), Louvre Abu Dhabi (2), Sharjah Art Foundation (3), and Jameel Arts Centre (UAE) (4); MISK Art Institute (Saudi Arabia) (5); and international institutions such as Pinault Collection (6), Fondation Louis Vuitton (7), Palais de Tokyo (8), Fondation Beyeler (9), LUMA Foundation (10), Dia Art Foundation (11), Tate (12), Serpentine Galleries (13), Whitney Museum of American Art (14), Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (15), MoMA PS1 (16), New Museum (17), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (18), He Art Museum (19), and Leeum Samsung Museum of Art (20), among others

2

Visionaries led the creative direction of Art Basel Qatar: Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s chief artistic officer and global director of fairs, and Wael Shawky, artistic director of the inaugural edition

700+

Drones illuminated the sky in a choreographed performance as part of Jenny Holzer's SONG, 2026, on the opening night

2,500+

Attendees at Art Basel Conversations, held at M7 across three days – the highest average attendance per session in the history of the talks series

17,000+

Visitors attended the inaugural Art Basel Qatar at M7 and the Doha Design District

3

Days of Art Basel Qatar from 5-7 February 2026

5TH

Art Basel Qatar is the 5th edition of Art Basel, alongside Basel, Paris, Miami Beach and Hong Kong

10

Special projects were commissioned for Art Basel Qatar. Artists included Jenny Holzer, Bruce Nauman, Rayyane Tabet and architect Sumayya Vally

87

Galleries showcased work at the inaugural Art Basel Qatar

16

Galleries were first-time Art Basel exhibitors

84

Artists were exhibited, with galleries hosting solo presentations

31

Countries and territories were represented at Art Basel Qatar, offering a vivid portrait of art in the region and beyond

Art Basel Qatar
in Numbers

The first edition, from 5-7 February 2026, showcased diverse artists from across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region and beyond to offer a portrait of a creative landscape on the rise

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Pointillist-style drawing of a sailboat on the sea under the sun, with a person on the boat. Below the image, handwritten text reads: Sea, Salt, land, Sand, air, breath, home, Soul shelter...
  • Introduction

The Power of Culture

An exploration of how culture connects people, ideas and place, marking two decades of Qatar Museums
A woman with short hair wearing a black dress stands smiling in a bright, modern studio filled with architectural models, books, and design materials—evoking the creative spirit of Lina Ghotmeh.
  • Venice

The Architecture of Belonging

A visit to the Paris studio of Lina Ghotmeh, the architect of the forthcoming Qatar pavilion at the historic Giardini in Venice
A calm waterfront scene with traditional wooden boats on the water, modern geometric buildings inspired by Frida Escobedo, and lush palm trees lining the shore under a soft, pastel sky.
  • In Focus

Diplomatic Post

Mexican architect Frida Escobedo transforms Doha’s iconic General Post Office as the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Three people stand side by side against a plain backdrop at the Franca Fund Gala: a woman in a patterned dress and sunglasses, a man in a tuxedo, and a woman in an ornate long dress and headscarf. The photo is black and white.
  • Creative Voices

Fashioning a Lasting Legacy

Sheikha al-Mayassa, Anna Wintour and Francesco Carrozzini discuss Franca Sozzani's legacy the Franca Fund Gala, and the power of culture
A person with long dark hair and glasses, reminiscent of a Rirkrit Tiravanija artwork, eats noodles from a metal bowl using chopsticks, holding the bowl with a towel against a white background.
  • Venice

Making Without Objects

Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija reflects on what it means to make art in a precarious world and his growing relationship with Qatar
A man in a white shirt and dark pants stands on a stone ledge holding a stringed instrument, evoking a saint Levant vibe, with ornate historic buildings and a large domed structure in the background under daylight.
  • Creative Voices

A Voice Beyond Borders

Sheikha Al-Mayassa & musician Saint Levant discuss cultural diplomacy, Palestine's creative ecosystem and Qatar National Vision 2030
A woman in a dramatic black dress and large hat, evoking the elegance of the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize, poses on a white horse rearing up on a stone staircase against beige walls and a blue sky.
  • In-Depth

Golden Threads

A celebration of the winners of the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize 2025 and a conversation with FTA founder Tania Fares
People stand and walk among large circular public art sculptures on a desert landscape, with some of their reflections appearing upside down on mirrored surfaces above them. The sky is clear and the scene is surreal and artistic.
  • In-Depth

In the Public Eye

Sheikha Reem Al-Thani of Qatar Museums reflects on how public art takes root in everyday life in Qatar
A black-and-white sketch of a person with short curly hair in a blazer, sitting with hands clasped and looking forward. Detailed fine lines for shading lend this Art for Tomorrow piece its striking realism.
  • Creative Voices

What Should the Art World Be Discussing?

The Big Questions: Farah Nayeri reflects on the questions shaping art, design and cultural debate today
A modern white building with large square windows, labeled M7, stands behind a shallow reflecting pool with clear water and greenery on both sides in Msheireb. Cars and pedestrians are visible near the entrance.
  • In-Depth

A New Old Town

Qatari architect Fatma Al Sehlawi explores how Msheireb Downtown Doha has transformed the historic heart of the city
Tall, curved walls made of dried palm fronds enclose an open outdoor space under a clear blue sky—an architectural gem reminiscent of installations seen at ArtBasel Qatar. A wooden double door stands in the light-colored building in the background.
  • In Focus

State of the Art

The inaugural Art Basel Qatar offered a new take on the conventional art fair format
A black and white photo of five people posing in a studio echoes the style of Rirkrit Tiravanija. Four stand while one sits, all in dark, loose-fitting outfits—two women in dresses and three men in jackets or casual clothing.
  • Venice

Gathering Momentum

Rirkrit Tiravanija leads a collaborative team to transform the site of Qatar’s future pavilion into a living, performative space at the Venice Biennale, bringing together film, music and food
A striking portrait of a man with wide eyes and an anxious expression, clutching his long dark hair with both hands. He has a mustache, goatee, and wears a white shirt with an open collar.
  • Notes

Face to Face

Two very different yet equally impressive portraits from the Qatar Museums collections
Shaikha Al Sulaiti, with wavy, shoulder-length hair, smiles while wearing a long, dark coat over a black turtleneck dress. She stands against a plain, light background with one hand on her hip.
  • Creative Voices

Tania Fares

Fashion Trust Arabia co-founder Tania Fares discusses nurturing talent, building global networks and defining a new generation of designers
Shaikha Al Sulaiti, wearing a black headscarf and a long red dress, sits relaxed on a light gray sofa against a beige wall, resting her head on her hand. A blue-gray rug is spread on the floor in front of her.
  • Creative Voices

My Doha: Shaikha Al Sulaiti

A personal portrait of the city, seen through the eyes of Qatari designer Shaikha Al Sulaiti
A woman wearing a black abaya and headscarf stands on a liwan balcony with light green walls and a metal railing, looking thoughtfully into the distance as natural light casts soft shadows around her.
  • In-Depth

Made in Liwan

Inside Liwan Design Studios and Labs, a former girls’ school that has been reimagined as a hub for Qatar’s creative community
Black and white sketch of a man wearing glasses and a suit jacket, smiling and looking slightly to the side. The detailed drawing with fine lines suggests he might be enjoying a conversation about Qatari food, on a plain white background.
  • Creative Voices

How Can Art Reflect a Changing Qatar?

The Big Questions: Tom Eccles curator of the inaugural edition of Rubaiya Qatar reflects on why now is the right moment for its arrival
A vibrant illustration depicts two figures in brown clothing riding a large, colorful mythical bird with multicolored wings and tail against a deep blue background, evoking an empire of light, accented by elegant Persian calligraphy.
  • Notes

In New Light

A landmark exhibition at Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art traces five millennia of Afghan creativity
A person stands at the entrance of the Lawh Wa Qalam Museum, framed by blue mosaic tiles and a tall, pointed arch doorway, about to step inside through a golden door.
  • In-Depth

A Painter's Dream

How the new Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum went from sketch to reality (and the chance to colour your own version)
Chef Noof Al Mari, in a black headscarf, cooks at a wooden kitchen counter lined with spice bowls. She stirs food in a pan, with kitchen utensils and a yellow bottle nearby, in a warm and rustic room.
  • In-Depth

Spice of Life

Food writer Caroline Eden spends time with Qatari chef Noof Al Mari, discovering her vision to bring Qatari food to the world
Alla Abdunabi stands in an art studio surrounded by drawings on the wall, sculptures, and wooden art pieces. She wears a blue shirt, black pants, and a scarf, looking toward the camera with a calm expression.
  • Notes

Alla Abdunabi

Artist Alla Abdunabi shares her experience at the Fire Station in Doha
A tall, shiny, metallic sculpture with sharp, angular folds stands against a plain white wall on a gray floor, evoking gulf futurism as it resembles an otherworldly folded sheet of metal.
  • Notes

Interrogating the In-Between

An exhibition at the Media Majlis Museum in Qatar asks what “Gulf Futurism” means to artists in the region
A rough, irregularly shaped piece of orange-brown clay rock with jagged edges and a textured surface, photographed by Abdulrahman Al Muftah and isolated on a white background.
  • Creative Voices

Triptych: Abdulrahman Al Muftah

Qatari designer Abdulrahman Al Muftah shares his three biggest inspirations

Issue 000 Contents

FEATURES
NEWS

Contents

Neighborhood Guides

Contents

Features

The Fifth Pillar

The artist takes over the market

Sweet Fifteen

A place to live, not to leave

Fashion Trust Arabia: The new guard

The Road to MIA

Sneakers Unboxed

The Couture Sculptor

Moving Pictures

Architecture as memory: Lina Ghotmeh in Venice

NEWS

Crossing Borders
A Taste of Qatar at Le Meurice
A Gilded Narrative
Game On
A Universal Language

Harbour Master

  • WHAT'S ON
  • QATAR DIRECTORY