Q: The exhibition tracks the emergence of modern and contemporary art in Qatar to the second half of the twentieth century. In your opinion, what was the specific context – events, time, etc – that inspired this movement?
Fatima Mostafawi: The development of fine art in Qatar emerged organically as a consequence of the establishment of the institution-based modern state. While traditional crafts and industrial arts had long existed, it was through primary school education that Qatari students were first introduced to chemical pigments and modern forms of artistic expression.
Pioneer artists played a pivotal role in shaping the local artistic landscape, while government initiatives provided crucial support in building the country’s art infrastructure.
Q: Can you explain how the three thematic sections were chosen? Did the artworks inspire the sections or vice versa?
Mostafawi: I was deeply interested in exploring the subjects that captivated both local modern and contemporary artists. My goal was to study the visual narratives they created and uncover the sources of their inspiration.
The themes I selected for this project are largely inspired by the collection of Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, which offers a rich entry point into understanding the evolution of artistic expression in Qatar.
Q: The exhibition presents works from Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani’s private collection. How does the curatorial process differ between presenting an exhibition made up of private versus public works?
Mostafawi: I believe the extent to which a curator involves the collector — and reveals aspects of their identity — ultimately depends on the curatorial vision.
In this exhibition, I was particularly keen to reflect the vision of the private collector, Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali. His perspective is closely aligned with my own interest in researching and documenting Qatari art, and in shaping a curatorial narrative that resonates with the cultural context of Qatar.
