On view at Qatar Museums Gallery – Al Riwaq, the I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture exhibition explored the full depth and breadth of Pei’s life and work. The exhibition was organised around six key themes that shaped Pei’s singular vision: his upbringing, approach to cities, engagement with art, relationship with clients, masterful use of geometry, materials, and structure, as well as deep reflection on the past.
I. M. Pei recognised architecture’s ability to honour both regional histories and global movements that resonated across time and cultures. Ultimately, his work evoked a belief in collaboration and transcultural dialogue, and the ways buildings and spaces responded to their surroundings—architecture as inseparable from life.
Reconsidering Pei’s work through a contemporary lens, Life Is Architecture featured newly commissioned photographs of 11 of Pei’s completed projects, taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five new models of his built and unbuilt projects also featured.
This exhibition is organised by Qatar Museums in collaboration with M+.
