World Wide Walls: Doha

Artist's Statement

This mural was created in dedication and loving memory of the people who showed me kindness and warmth throughout my life, especially my dear grandmother. She is the first and central symbol of the artwork, with the mubkhar (incense burner) dedicated to her. One of my fondest memories is waking up to the smell of bukhoor (incense) on a Friday morning, a tradition my grandmother had every Friday, on special occasions, and whenever someone visited the house.

The rest of the symbols, drawn onto the smoke coming from the mubkhar, are illustrations collected from my childhood sketchbooks. I created these drawings during my middle school years when I first started learning how to draw properly. My mother, my aunt and grandmother were my teachers. Some other symbols are drawn in dedication to the kind people in my life, and I would like to leave meaning behind them open to the interpretation of the audience.

Artist's Statement

Childhood is when dreams begin to take shape - what we want to do or be. In these challenging times worldwide, there are children who don't even have the luxury of dreaming, their thoughts revolving around basic necessities: will they have something to eat or if they will even wake up the next day. As adults, what can we do to provide a safe environment for them, so they can grow up happy and dream?

Artist's Statement

The more we delve into our true selves, the more radiant our inner beauty becomes. I am thankful to have learned about the fascinating history of Doha, a city that once relied on pearl diving for its livelihood.

These mechanical parts are inspired by the photographs I took of the original petroleum pipes that transformed the economy and culture of this city. They symbolise how, even amidst the chaos of lie, we can make groundbreaking moves deeply rooted in culture and history. I am grateful for the enlightening conversation I had with the graceful and forward-thinking woman, @silverbonse, who is one of the local muralists. Thank you for generously sharing more of your culture and captivating stories.

Artist's Statement

In this minimalist mural, a dynamic fusion of cultural symbols unfolds in a wireframe of lines, seamlessly blending the motifs of Lithuania and Qatar. The delicate contours create a harmonious dance between the distinctive Qatar flower, the national flower of Qatar, and Lithuania's rye (DOES HE MEAN BREAD), and the stylised people characters. The interwoven lines form a visual dialogue, celebrating the rich heritage of both nations in a stunning tapestry of unity and diversity.

Artist's Statement

The mural depicts a Qatari lady in traditional attire with a modern twist, showcasing unusual colours. Based on the colours of Doha port, the artist bridges the past and present by combining traditional attire with modern colours.

Artist's Statement

This artwork is a response to several fascinating things that the artist discovered in this very wonderful city, including its culture, friendliness, love, uniqueness, and vibrant colours that reflect beauty and joy. The visual representation of these two different and interconnected things emphasises the idea of unity. This artwork incorporates motifs and cultures, along with several elements of form. The inspiration was taken from varieties of city architecture, a 'mask' element that implies spiritual energy, the land and seas, and an endemic bird named the Hoopoe. Furthermore, features of a mythical Indonesian character called the Barong are also reflected in various elements and aspects of life can coexist harmoniously.

Artist's Statement

You have to control yourself and watch your emotions carefully. I describe the teddies as individual emotions, and the angry teddies are more challenging because this emotion is the most in need of control. “If you learn self control, you can control anything."

About the Artist

Kevin Lyons (USA, 1969) is an artist living and working out of Brooklyn, NY. He is known for his colourful, often hyper-energetic signature monster characters. These characters have adorned everything from t-shirts to sneakers, walls to skateboards, cars and even candy. The monsters were patiently developed within the pages of his many sketchbooks alongside his design-focused career in streetwear that spans nearly three decades. Kevin has held a variety of key roles within some of streetwear’s biggest brands including design director at Stussy, art director for Girl Skateboard Company, art director of Tokion Magazine, and senior designer for Nike. Clients over the years range from Adidas, Converse, Stance, HUF, Nike, and Colette

Artist's Statement

One of the things that caught my attention when I was invited to partcipate in World Wide Walls Doha was the contrast between what I usually paint as a woman in street art - mainly empowered women - and the representation of women in Qatar as a country. It was very important to me to maintain this idea of an empowered woman but also to be respectful of the culture. I wanted people to appreciate the art, and women to see themselves in the work of art - not just for their beauty, but rather as a metaphor for the development that a woman can have as a human being.

This connection with nature is key in all my work. There's concern for the ecosystem and plant life as part of ourselves. This connection serves as a metaphysical entity that transcends the earthly, where spirtual development and elevation originate.

Artist's Statement

Resplendent Identity is a celebration of the beauty and strength of women in Ghana who choose to wear the hijab as an expression of their identity and faith. Inspired by the resilience and determination of these women, this artwork aims to challenge societal norms and advocate for the freedom of self-expression. The fabric used in this artwork is of Ghanaian origin, symbolising the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the country. The vibrant colours and intricate patterns represent change, prosperity, freedom, and transition, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the human experience. Through this artwork, the artist seeks to highlight the discrimination and challenges faced by women who choose to wear the hijab in Ghana. These women often face prejudice and restrictions in schools and public spaces, denying them their basic human rights. By showcasing their resplendence and glamour, he aims to challenge these discriminatory practices and promote inclusivity and acceptance. The artwork serves as a visual reminder that everyone has the right and freedom to be themselves, to express their identity and beliefs without fear of discrimination or judgment. It calls for a society that embraces diversity and respects individual choices. Resplendent Identity is a tribute to the strength and courage of these women, who continue to assert their identity and fight for their rights. It is a call to action for a more inclusive and compassionate society, where everyone can freely express their true selves.

Artist's Statement

Noura visualises a stage of deep thought, contemplation and meditation, guiding the audience towards inner peace and helping them discover their rightful place.

About the Artist

Russell Fenn, better known as Sofles (Australia, 1985) is an artist originating from Brisbane. He is self-taught and has been honing his skills for over 20 years, exploring various mediums such as spray-paint, acrylic, drawing and brush painting, as well as digital and illustration works. Sofles’ large-scale murals have taken him around the world ten times over and now grace many of the world’s largest cities, including Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo, Las Vegas, and LA. Sofles has a clear goal with his art; he aims to create strong images that evoke emotions in people. “I believe art should be an important part of the city landscape. I want to create public art for people to enjoy, to transform spaces,” he says. Drawing inspiration from nature, society, graffiti and traditional art, his work focuses on the ideas of time, dimensions, and an abstract mix of past experiences. Clients he has worked with include Amazon Prime, Art Aid, Amity Affliction, Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Culture Kings, ESPN, Ironlak, KSR Gallery, Juddy Roller, Lego, Marvel, Miami Art Basel, Mural Oasis, Quicksilver, Red Bull, Tennis Australia, Uber, Universal Studios, Westfield and many more. His bright graphics, strong colours, fine details and abstract elements have caught the attention of many art-lovers and those alike.

About the Artist

Belal Khaled (Palestine, 1992) is a calligraphy artist who seeks to invent a new method of writing Arabic letters in an unconventional way through which he can speak with all the languages of the world. Certain letters follow a strict aesthetic rule, Khaled wishes to liberate while also preserving their origin. It is his quest to devise a style that bears his own signature, taking advantage of the aesthetics of Arabic letters to create new patterns. He tries, through his own style of calligraphy, to shed light on areas of conflict through transformation of destruction and horrific wars into works of art that carry messages of hope, love and determination to survive. His work carries the voice of refugees all over the world, that advocate we are a human being ruled by love before force, united by affection, and ensuring the continuation of coexistence and tolerance, regardless of race and colour.