He had completed a successful three-month residency programme at the renowned Cité internationale des Arts in Paris from July 1 to September 30.
One of the biggest and most prestigious art residencies in the world, Cité internationale des Arts accepts some 1,000 artists from more than 50 countries onto its programmes each year.
Held under the patronage of Qatar Museums chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Paris Residency is an extension of the Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme in Doha.
Such programme provides a Qatari artist with studio space and all the benefits of an overseas art residency, including opportunities to collaborate with like-minded individuals, the chance to develop their craft in a new setting and draw inspiration from museums, galleries and the city’s vibrant art scene during a three-month period.
Al-Attiya’s residency is the second organised by the Fire Station this year, and follows a three month stay by Ebtisam al-Saffar in Paris that began in January 2017.
The experience of both artists demonstrates how well established the programme has become in supporting creative
talent to develop and flourish.
The ongoing exhibition at the Fire Station is intended to celebrate al-Attiya’s accomplishments. The gallery is open from 9am to 7pm.
“The team and I are very proud that we’re able to celebrate yet another milestone success from this wonderful creative hub that we’ve worked so hard to develop at the Fire Station: Artist in Residence,” Fire Station director Khalifa al-Obaidli said.
“It’s a pleasure to share with the local community this fantastic body of work created by Nasser al-Attiya following his time in Paris,” he stressed, adding that the Qatari artist fully embraced all the opportunities that the residency programme represents.
“Al-Attiya’s experience perfectly highlights why it is important to us to continuously nurture future generations of artists and provide them with a platform to reach their full potential whilst drawing inspiration from the world around them,” al-Obaidli noted.
Ahead of the exhibition opening, al-Attiya gave a public talk in the Fire Station’s cinema recently where he discussed his journey, his experience during his time in Paris, and the works he produced during his residency.
Al-Attiya has been a member of the Qatar Society for Fine Arts Association since 1989, acting as vice president from 2015 to 2016.
Through his work, al-Attiya aims to address a range of universal topics and themes
including freedom and society.
He took part in QM’s first Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme in Doha, a nine-month residency where local artists can take their passion to the next level, by collaborating with fellow creatives and developing their craft.
As part of his residency in Paris, al-Attiya worked on a project titled ‘Perfume Planet’ in which he portrayed diverse personal appearances in a manner that reflects the hugely diverse array of perfume bottles produced around the world.
He drew creative inspiration from his surroundings, producing work based on the eclectic range of perfume bottles that he encountered all around him in Paris.
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