Large black text on a light background displaying Q + A, representing Question and Answer.

Art

Artists, ideas and the culture they shape.

A man wearing a traditional Middle Eastern headdress and robe looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression
  • In Depth

How to make a museum nation

As Qatar Museums celebrates 20 years, we explore 20 ideas that have transformed the country’s cultural landscape
Round ceramic plate decorated with blue and white floral patterns reminiscent of boats floating afar, featuring central birds surrounded by a wide scalloped rim.
  • In Focus

Connections across oceans

An exhibition at the National Museum of Qatar showcases ancient Chinese ceramics from across the Maritime Silk Road
Musicians perform on a covered outdoor stage with patterned red flooring as an audience, some seated and some standing, watches. The vibrant setting, featuring instruments and greenery, echoes the creativity of the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize.
  • In Focus

A Gathering of Creative Excellence

Rirkrit Tiravanija’s Qatar Pavilion celebrates evolving Arabic culture at the 2026 Venice Biennale
A glitch-art composite in the style of Sophia Al-Maria, featuring a reaching hand, a person applying lotion to an arm, and a framed painting in a room, all overlaid with chromatic aberration and digital lines.
  • In Depth

Wuz we here?

Artist Sophia Al-Maria traces the human impulse to leave a mark, from the walls of her grandmother’s home to ancient Egypt
A white map outline of Venice, Italy, showing its winding canals and irregular street grid on a pale blue-gray background, reminiscent of contemporary exhibitions seen at Art Basel Qatar.
  • In Focus

Venice Biennale in numbers

Mapping the 61st Venice Art Biennale in numbers – attendance figures, debut nations and the Qatar Pavilion
A marble sculpture stands on a circular platform in a park with colorful winding paths. Trees surround the area, and modern tall buildings—reminiscent of Frida Escobedo’s architectural style—are visible in the background under a clear sky.
  • In Focus

Playground love

A playful sculpture by Shezad Dawood in Doha’s Al Masrah Park
A person tightly grips a tree trunk with one hand, head lowered in deep focus or effort—a moment reminiscent of the contemplative scenes often found in Rirkrit Tiravanija’s work. The scene is rendered in black and white, with the background blurred into light, soft shapes.
  • In Focus

Against the grain

Giuseppe Penone’s first major solo show in the Arab world brings six decades of work to Qatar
A modern building with Art Basel Qatar signage, people gathering near the entrance, red wall, and a reflecting water feature. A car is parked on the right under a clear blue sky, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of Art Basel Qatar.
  • In Focus

Art Basel in Numbers

Art Basel Qatar offered a portrait of a creative landscape on the rise
A person with long dark hair wearing a brown outfit stands on patterned rugs, looking up at the camera. Rolls of rug material are stacked in the background, evoking a scene reminiscent of Frida Escobedo’s thoughtful approach to texture and space.
  • Studio Visit

Alia Farid

Artist Alia Farid draws inspiration from a constellation of places. Discover where her practice takes shape
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
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 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 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 person walks past a modern pavilion with a geometric patterned pink facade, angled roof, and decorative panels—reminiscent of Msheireb’s contemporary architectural style—surrounded by trees and gravel ground.
  • Postscript

Bridging the Gulf

Qatar’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale marks the growing influence of Arab states in the international art world
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 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.
  • Closing Notes

Face to Face

Two very different yet equally impressive portraits from the Qatar Museums collections
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 black and white sketch in the style of the Baghdad Modern Art Group, depicting a smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy hair.
  • The Big Question

How can the past shape the future?

Nada Shabout on the legacy of the Baghdad Modern Art Group
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.
  • Closing 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)
A woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a sleeveless patterned top and large gold hoop earring, looks to the left against an olive green background
  • In Depth

The shape of return

Wassan Al-Khudhairi, the artistic director of Art Basel Qatar 2027, reflects on the creative ecosystem she helped to shape
A display rack filled with colorful, abstract paintings featuring expressive faces and figures, including some inspired by Chef Noof Al Mari’s vibrant culinary artistry, set against a background of more vibrant artworks in a gallery or art market.
  • The Collector

Across Africa

Qatari collector AbdulRahman Al Khelaifi reflects on building the region’s largest collection of African art
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.
  • Closing 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.
  • Closing 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
Illustration of a man in a beige suit holding a microphone, appearing to speak or present. The background shows an outlined crowd of seated people, drawn with minimal detail.
  • Creative Voices

The Fifth Pillar

CEO of Art Basel Noah Horowitz talks to Q+A about the fêted art fair’s expansion into Qatar
Street view of modern beige buildings with geometric patterns, lined with trees. Bright pink banners on lampposts read “Art Basel Qatar” and “Visit Qatar,” showcasing Art Basel highlights under a clear blue sky.
  • In Focus

A Snapshot of Art Basel Qatar

A few highlights from our experience at Art Basel Qatar in February
A modern outdoor plaza with abstract dark sculptures, surrounded by tall glass buildings and light-colored stone structures under a clear sky.
  • Art Basel

Special Effects

Art Basel Qatar has commissioned a series of site-specific installations to extend the fair’s impact
A man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a dark shirt and light pants, sits and smiles outdoors in front of a modern building with yellow accents and a clock tower. Trees and fountains are visible in the background.
  • Creative Voices

Epic Vision

Egyptian artist Wael Shawky on why Art Basel Qatar will be different from all other art fairs
A blue world map with black dots marking various locations across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The background is a lighter blue. There are no labels or text.
  • In Focus

The World Arrives

A map of the global galleries exhibiting at Art Basel Qatar, offering a snapshot of cultural exchange across continents
Bouthayna Al Muftah photographed by Robin Augustine, courtesy of al markhiya gallery
  • Art Basel

Threads of Memory

Qatari artist Bouthayna Al Muftah expands her exploration of identity and craft through a sculptural installation for al markhiya gallery
Four people sit on stage in front of a seated audience, engaged in a panel discussion outdoors beneath lush green trees. The panelists appear to be in conversation, with microphones and water glasses on the table.
  • Creative Voices

The Swiss Connection

Sheikha al-Mayassa Al Thani, curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, architect Jacques Herzog and artist Urs Fischer were all born in Switzerland and shared a platform at Art Basel to discuss their projects in Qatar
A modern building with beige and gray concrete walls, yellow accents, large windows, and wooden lattice panels on the upper floors. Small trees are planted in the paved courtyard in front.
  • Art Basel

Kindling a Creative Future

The Fire Station is one of Doha’s most engaging creative hubs, with a dynamic residency and exhibitions programme
A small, white-framed digital display hangs on a wall, showing a grayscale image with architectural patterns and faint text. The background features a blurred, mural-like photo of a building with arches.
  • Art Basel

Rewriting the Future

Qatari-American artist Sophia Al Maria’s new work with The Third Line gallery looks to the past in order to define a new narrative
A woman in a bold outfit stands in front of microphones, facing the camera, with a diverse group of serious-looking people and a person with a film camera behind her; all gaze forward in a public outdoor setting.
  • Art Basel

Putting MENA on the Map

Art Basel Qatar is exhibiting the region’s most compelling voices, both established and emerging
A group of people, wrapped in shawls, gathers on a busy street in front of shops. An elderly man with a long white beard walks past. Bicycles and motorcycles are visible, and signs hang above the shops.
  • In Depth

The Immersive Artist

The “Indian Picasso” and one-time resident of Doha, MF Husain, is celebrated with moving images
A hotel lobby with a dramatic, tall beige fringe wall hanging, marble floors with geometric patterns, dark green marble walls, seating areas, and a flower arrangement near glass doors in the background.
  • Closing Notes

Desert of the North

A recently installed piece of public art in Doha
Three tall, dark monoliths stand upright in a row on a barren, sandy desert landscape under a clear blue sky. A small rocky hill appears on the left side of the image.
  • In Focus

Across Borders

Selected highlights of past cultural exchanges between Qatar and the Americas
A Persian-style miniature painting shows a lion leaping toward a black bull near a stream, with another animal nearby. The background features rocky cliffs, trees, clouds, and a gold sky with intricate details.
  • Closing Notes

Fables Reborn

The tales of Arabic classic Kalila wa Dimna reimagined in Spanish
A woman with curly hair stands outdoors, leaning on a stone wall. She wears a striped jacket over a white top. Behind her are modern sculptures and a building with a glass facade.
  • In Depth

First 15

Celebrating 15 years of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Qatari street artist Mubarak Al Malik in front of the mural he completed with Argentine street artist Martin Ron. Courtesy of Mubarak Al Malik
  • Closing Notes

A Night to Remember

A new mural immortalises football legend Lionel Messi in Doha
Autoerretrao by Gabriel Chaile. Photo courtesy of Qatar Museums
  • Closing Notes

The Shape of Us

Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile reimagines self-portraiture
A serving tray crafted from hammered brass engraved and inlaid with gold from Egypt, Cairo or Syria that dates back to the Damascus Mamluk period, c.1330-1341CE. © Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar Museums
  • Closing Notes

The World on a Plate

From illuminated manuscripts to jewelled vessels, A Seat at the Table offers a sensory journey through the history of feasting
Three people sit or stand among scattered rocks, platforms, and modern art installations in a spacious, minimalist gallery with white walls and a concrete floor. Suspended trays hold stones and objects overhead.
  • Closing Notes

Harbour Master

French-Lebanese artist Tarek Atoui brings his watery installation to Doha
A mural in blue tones shows a veiled woman kneeling and facing a futuristic cityscape with tall, geometric skyscrapers. Arched lines rise above the city, merging culture and modernity. The mural is signed “MinuAirLabder 2021.”.
  • Closing Notes

Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture

The Jedariart programme brings artists together to add vibrancy and meaning to Doha’s city walls. During the Qatar–USA Year of Culture 2021, it crossed continents to transform US city walls into canvases for cultural dialogue

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