Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha is currently home to Qatar: Close to My Soul, a comprehensive exhibition that traces the trajectory of modern and contemporary Qatari art over the past five decades. The show situates the country’s artistic evolution within its wider political, social, and cultural landscape. Bringing together works from the private collection of Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, the exhibition offers a personal and expansive portrait of Qatar’s creative heritage. Curated by Fatima Mostafawi (curator of Middle East and West Asia at Mathaf), it will run through 9 August 2025.
The title of the exhibition is inspired by Allah Ya O’mri Qatar (1975), a poem by Abdullah Al-Hammadi, later adapted into a widely known song. Its emotional resonance and evocation of national pride provide a lyrical framework for the showcase, which explores how art has reflected, preserved, and reimagined the nation’s identity.
Qatar: Close to My Soul presents a rich tapestry of artistic voices and mediums, from figurative paintings by pioneers such as Jassim Al-Zaini and Wafika Sultan to the conceptual works of artists like Faraj Daham. Traditional materials, such as palm fronds, henna, and textiles, sit alongside oil paintings and mixed-media pieces, emphasising continuity as well as change. The displayed artworks are complemented by archival documents, historical texts, and interpretive materials that enrich the viewer’s understanding.
The exhibition comprises three sections. The first one, O’mri Qatar (My Life, Qatar), evokes the natural and built environment of the nation, such as desert landscapes, seascapes, and vernacular architecture, through artworks that resonate with memory, place, and belonging.
The second section, Dewdrops, turns to the people and social fabric of the country. In the works presented here, their creators capture daily life, crafts, and community through intimate portrayals and expressive gestures.
The final section, Boundless Expanse, highlights abstraction and conceptual experimentation, including hurufiyya (a style incorporating Arabic letterforms), and demonstrates how Qatari artists have embraced new languages of form while remaining rooted in tradition.
To get more information about Qatar: Close to My Soul, please go to the official web page of the exhibition.
Additionally, you might be interested in exploring Sites of Imagination by Wafa al-Hamad and Your Ghosts Are Mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices, a collective exhibition.
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