Fire Station is now home to A House Overlooking the World, a group exhibition showcasing works by 17 creatives who took part in the 8th iteration of the Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme (RIA) (2023-2024). The show explores the concept of home in the contemporary world, raising questions about identity and belonging, and will be open to the public until 31 December 2024.
The participating artists present diverse narratives, grouped into three core themes: environmental, social, and cultural explorations. The works on display highlight the connection between individual identity and urban identity, shaped by the relationship between people and their surroundings. On a deeper level, the exhibition delves into how the environment symbolises the social bonds and emotions that link individuals to places. Through their creations, the artists reflect on an ongoing search for self-discovery within the context of their environment and society; the show serves as a metaphor for the quest for identity in a constantly changing world.
A House Overlooking the World also examines Doha’s rapid transformation and its interplay with nostalgia. The artists, as members of this evolving society, explore memory and nostalgia, seeking to situate themselves physically and spiritually.
Among the featured works is Treasured Reflections by Qatari designer Hannah Fakhri, inspired by memories of summer holidays spent between Qatar and the UK. Graphic designer Zainab AlShibani contributes Bodiless Living in a Bodyful World, drawing on childhood theatre experiences. Reverie Ruins, a mixed-media installation by Ukrainian artist Oleksandra Umanska and Qatari artist Abdulla Al Sallat, features haunting depictions of abandoned neighborhoods in Ukraine. Qatari architect and self-taught artist Aljazi AlNaimi‘s enormous sculpture Awan examines the transient aspect of existence. Additionally, Qatari artist Noora Alhardan presents Lost and Found Again, which unearths the hidden stories within abandoned spaces, encouraging viewers to reimagine the familiar.
Other contributors include Iranian artist Somaia Dorzadeh; American artist, author, and educator Charlotte Rodenberg; MOTOElastico (an art collective founded by Italian architects Marco Bruno and Simone Carena); Irish artist Ann McNally; Saudi fashion photographer Alanoud Alghamdi; Bahraini artist Maryam AlTajer; and Qatari creatives such as visual artist Shuaa Al Kuwari, AI artist AlKhuzama Al Harami, digital artist Mohammed Al Emadi, and multidisciplinary artist Aisha Al Abdulla.
About the Fire Station: Artist in Residence
Established in 2015, the RIA programme is committed to fostering the art and creative community in Qatar. It provides emerging artists with production support, mentorship, and access to studio facilities, enabling their artistic development. Running annually from September to June, the programme offers participants studio space at the Fire Station and culminates in a public exhibition at the Garage Gallery, displaying their work.
To get more information about A House Overlooking the World, please go to the official web page of the show.
While in Doha, you might consider visiting Chaumet & Nature: Nature-Inspired Jewellery Since 1780, an exhibition on view at M7. In addition, you might be interested in attending Fictional Landscapes, a group show at Foundry.
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