Six Qatari artists will visit India for a 10-day art trip as part of a new initiative titled ‘Ektashif’, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has announced.
After the trip, participants will produce four to five artworks inspired by their visit which will be displayed in an art exhibition at MIA in January 2020.
The trip is sponsored by Seashore Qatar – a Qatari owned company and one of the largest multi-disciplined business enterprises in the country.
Salem al-Marri, deputy director Learning and Outreach, said: “This new initiative comes in celebration of our current exhibition Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels of Royal Indian Courts. We wanted to give our aspiring Qatari artists a chance to explore the cultural diversity of India, all the while bringing their own perspective to the workshops and conversations that they will be having. We look forward to seeing how this experience will influence and enrich their work.”
The trip will include visits to sites of historic interest such as the Qutub Minar and the Red Fort in Delhi, Amber Palace and Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, and the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Additionally, each day will include a workshop session whereby participants will discover the intricate traditional arts of India including marble inlay, known as ‘parchin kari’, block printing, jewellery making, carpet weaving and more.
The trip is open to Qatari, practising artists, over the age of 18. Participants must also have had some experience exhibiting their work in the past.
Under the leadership of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar Museums is committed to supporting local talents and creating a strong cultural scene in the country through various projects and initiatives.

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