As part of its ongoing initiative to breathe life into urban spaces across Doha, Qatar Museums is hosting the World Wide Walls (formerly known as Pow! Wow!) international mural festival from 26 November to 2 December at the Old Doha Port, Mina District in Doha. The biannual festival of mural arts, being hosted for the second time in the MENA region will see 13 local, regional, and international artists add striking artworks to the walls in and around the Old Doha Port.
The first edition in Qatar and in the MENA region took place at the Al Sadd Metro Station in 2021, where 12 local and international artists brought life to Doha walls. Alongside the festival, the participating artists also added murals to the pool-side wall at the JW Marriot Hotel and the basketball court at Lusail Crescent Park. The first edition of the festival was a huge success, as thousands of members of the community embarked on the unique experience of World Wide Walls.
After 10 years, the festival changed its name from POW! WOW! to World Wide Walls (WWW) – the name was chosen to highlight the part of the organization that revolves around cities, people, and artistic talent.
The WWW organization has evolved into a global network of artists, hosting gallery shows, lecture series, art and music schools, mural projects, and live art installations across the globe. The festival's impact goes beyond the art created during the event and has been known to bring about a sense of pride and community to the areas it has touched.
This year, 10 international and 3 local artists will have their own station at the Mina District where they will display their work. Participating artists include Noura Al Mansoori (Qatar), Ghada Al-Suwaidi (Qatar), Abdulla Alsallat (Qatar), Kevin Lyons (USA), Ettoja (Lithuania), Caratoes (Hong Kong/Belgium), Moh Awudu (Ghana), Lula Goce (Spain), Adry del Rocio (Mexico), Sofles (Australia), Hood (Oman) and Belal Khaled (Palestine). In partnership with the Years of Culture initiative, WWW has also invited Indonesian artist Herzven to commemorate the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.
World Wide Walls was founded in 2010 by artist, illustrator, curator and art director, Jasper Wong, in Hong Kong, where the first edition of the week-long mural festival was held. The festival has since exhibited in more than 25 cities worldwide with the purpose of city beautification and community building.
WWW founder Jasper Wong said: “At World Wide Walls, our mission is to enhance communities through public art while offering diverse platforms for local and global artists. Originating in Hawaii, we've extended our presence to over 25 cities worldwide. Collaborating with the Qatar Museums to introduce our initiative to Doha marks a significant stride in fostering connections through art. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with regional artists, contributing to the global art landscape and further enriching our shared cultural tapestry.”
Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Ishaq, Director of Public Art at Qatar Museums, said: " Public Art has transformed Doha’s urban landscape over the past few years with our local and international mural programs, Jedariart and World Wide Walls. We have added more than 50 murals across the city, continuously widening the scene and introducing new artists. Qatar Museums is excited to host World Wide Walls for the second time in Doha, an international mural festival. We are thrilled to support a global network of artists whose artworks will match the vibrancy of the MINA District, in Old Doha Port.
“The community is invited to visit World Wide Walls: Doha for a chance to see participating artists bring the walls to life,” Al-Ishaq added.
Jotun is one of the world's leading paints and coatings manufacturers, combining the best quality with constant innovation and creativity. For almost a century, Jotun has protected all types of property - from iconic buildings to beautiful homes. Shovan Das, General Manager of Jotun Paints Qatar, said: “As one of the leading paint manufacturers globally, Jotun supports cultural enrichment and artistic expression of World Wide Walls: Doha, fostering a meaningful connection between the community and their innovative paint solutions.”
Bader Al-Mahmoud, Strategy & Business Development Director at Old Doha Port said: “We are excited to host such a vibrant festival in which Old Doha Port proudly invites everyone to witness and enjoy fusion of art and heritage. As we open our doors to all creative minds of talented artists, our cultural village ‘Mina District’ will come alive with inspired artworks on Mina District’s buildings, adding striking artworks to the walls in and around the Old Doha Port.”
Qatar Museums hosts several public art initiatives annually to activate urban areas with murals and art installations, including Jedariart, the 5/6 initiative, and the Public Art Annual Student Competition.
World Wide Walls Doha 2023 is open to the public from 8am to 10pm from 26 November to 2 December. For more information, please visit https://qm.org.qa/en/calendar/world-wide-walls-2023
About Public Art
Under the visionary leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassah bint Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar Museums' public art program is committed to making art accessible to all, playing a vital role in shaping Qatar's cultural landscape. This dynamic program engages both local and international artists, fostering continuous cultural growth. Referred to as the 'open-air museum,' public artworks adorn various spaces across Qatar, including airports, transit hubs, hotels, stadiums, parks, and the desert. These initiatives, from nurturing emerging artists to establishing Qatar as a prominent art destination, enhance its cultural profile and global influence.
QM’s Public Art department's mission is to enrich Qatar's cultural landscape through curation and promotion, leveraging a thriving local art ecosystem, cultivating regional talent, and fostering international connections. Unique projects such as ‘JedariArt’ enhance urban aesthetics and community engagement through street art that sparks conversations in public spaces. The ‘5/6 initiative’ commemorates Qatar's history, while the ‘Emerging Artist Call’ supports emerging talents in public art.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Future museums include Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, Qatar Auto Museum, Art Mill Museum, and the Lusail Museum.
Through its Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, and the hub for innovation, fashion, and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
About Old Doha Port:
The Old Doha Port has been developed and transformed from a histroic commercial port
to become a vibrant tourist hub. The emphasis on sustainability and innovation took centre stage, as evidenced by the seamless integration of modernity with the natural environment. Divided into different zones—this diverse space celebrates Qatar’s maritime history and attracts visitors all year round.
Mina District:
An area categorised of new architectural design that reflects the nature of ancient Qatari coastal cities and villages, such as Al Khor and Al Wakrah, highlighting the distinctive Qatari architectural language, designs and inscriptions in addition to vibrant restaurants and commercial outlets.
Mina district buildings include a very unique fish market “Chabrat Al Mina”, offers more than 50 restaurants and cafes, offers over 70 retail stores, provides 120+ hotel apartments, includes a five-star boutique hotel with 30 rooms and a quay wall that can hosts 60 super yachts.
About Jotun
Founded in 1926 in Norway, Jotun – one of the world's leading paint manufacturers – established its presence in the Middle East in 1974 and has expanded its operations regionally to cater to the various product segments and demands of the different markets. With over 37 production facilities and a network spanning more than 100 countries worldwide, Jotun has set new benchmarks in innovation, technology and research to protect, preserve and beautify some of the most iconic projects and landmarks in the world.
About Jotun Qatar
Jotun has been present in Qatar for 40 years and has been at the forefront in developing products specifically suited to local conditions. With a network of 75 retail shops, Jotun Qatar is committed to providing the best shopping experience and the highest level of product availability to the Qatari market.
About Years of Culture
Culture is one of the most effective tools to bring people closer together, encourage dialogue, and deepen understanding between nations. Though formal programming lasts only one year, the ties of friendship that are strengthened and formed are long-lasting.
Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture has been developed in collaboration with leading organizations in Qatar, including Doha Film Institute, Education Above All, Katara Cultural Village, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Charity, Qatar Cycling Federation, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Museums, Qatar National Library, Qatar Tourism, with assistance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Qatar and the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Indonesia.
Previous Years of Culture have included: Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar-Brazil 2014, Qatar-Türkiye 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany 2017, Qatar-Russia 2018, Qatar-India 2019, Qatar-France 2020, Qatar-USA 2021, and Qatar-MENASA 2022. Past sponsors include Qatar Airways, Vodafone, Qatar Gas, Shell, Ooredoo, Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Lulu Group International, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Petroleum, and ExxonMobil.
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Press Contacts:
Qatar Museums
Lamis Nassar, lnassar@qm.org.qa / +974 4452 5418