Galeries Lafayette Doha is all set to celebrate Qatar National Day (QND) in its own style, "commemorating the greatness of the nation".
On December 1, the department store inaugurated specially dressed windows that emanate the pride that Qatar National Day entails.
For this occasion, Galeries Lafayette Doha once again collaborated with local Qatari artists Fahad al-Maadheed and Nasser Alkubaisi to create exclusive visuals to adorn the store.
The artists created exclusive lines of artwork to offer a captivating experience for visitors at Galeries Lafayette Doha, setting the right tone for the celebrations.
While al-Maadheed is already well-known for his art, including for his paintings on leather goods such as handbags, wallets and phone covers, Alkubaisi is a new star on the horizon.
An interior designer and a digital artist, Alkubaisi has received a lot of attention, with his works found in different public spaces and at the National Museum Gift Shop.
Al-Maadheed's art installations aim to strengthen the national identity by harkening back to the past.
For this occasion, Galeries Lafayette Doha once again collaborated with local Qatari artists Fahad al-Maadheed and Nasser Alkubaisi to create exclusive visuals to adorn the store.
The artists created exclusive lines of artwork to offer a captivating experience for visitors at Galeries Lafayette Doha, setting the right tone for the celebrations.
While al-Maadheed is already well-known for his art, including for his paintings on leather goods such as handbags, wallets and phone covers, Alkubaisi is a new star on the horizon.
An interior designer and a digital artist, Alkubaisi has received a lot of attention, with his works found in different public spaces and at the National Museum Gift Shop.
Al-Maadheed's art installations aim to strengthen the national identity by harkening back to the past.
"His work embodies those who built and defended the land since historic times,” a statement noted. “The window takes us back in time, and the spirit of the past and present converges through art.”
The main inspiration for Alkubaisi’s art is, "if Van Gogh was in Qatar, how he would admire the beauty of the Galleries Lafayette Doha building".
The concept of his window revolves around an "exclusive live artwork that you can experience as you watch it moving and becoming alive”.
“It is an eclectic combination of art and technology that creates an illusion of movement and live painting,” the statement explains.
Al-Maadheed, who has exhibited his art in Galeries Lafayette Doha before, said: “It is indeed a pleasure to be part of Galeries Lafayette Doha’s Qatar National Day celebrations.”
“This is a perfect platform to display my special QND art that depicts the richness of Qatari heritage and my passion for it,” he said.
Speaking about his presence at Galeries Lafayette Doha, Alkubaisi said: “Just as Van Gogh himself said, 'I dream my painting and I paint my dream', my art is my dream.”
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be able to present my art to the clientele of Galeries Lafayette Doha on the auspicious occasion of Qatar National Day,” he added. “It is my tribute to my nation and its people.”
The theme of the celebrations is also reflected in exclusive dishes created for the occasion at restaurants and cafes in Galeries Lafayette Doha.
Limited-edition desserts and a savoury item have been carefully designed to celebrate the occasion.
Each dish is a gastronomical delight and equally pleasing to the eye and satisfying for the soul, the statement adds.
Galeries Lafayette Doha general manager Kevin Gerard Pender said: “Celebrating Qatar National Day every year is a part of the department store’s tradition.”
“It is also a perfect stage to highlight the unparalleled talent of the local artists and merge together patriotism and art with retail,” he added.
The main inspiration for Alkubaisi’s art is, "if Van Gogh was in Qatar, how he would admire the beauty of the Galleries Lafayette Doha building".
The concept of his window revolves around an "exclusive live artwork that you can experience as you watch it moving and becoming alive”.
“It is an eclectic combination of art and technology that creates an illusion of movement and live painting,” the statement explains.
Al-Maadheed, who has exhibited his art in Galeries Lafayette Doha before, said: “It is indeed a pleasure to be part of Galeries Lafayette Doha’s Qatar National Day celebrations.”
“This is a perfect platform to display my special QND art that depicts the richness of Qatari heritage and my passion for it,” he said.
Speaking about his presence at Galeries Lafayette Doha, Alkubaisi said: “Just as Van Gogh himself said, 'I dream my painting and I paint my dream', my art is my dream.”
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be able to present my art to the clientele of Galeries Lafayette Doha on the auspicious occasion of Qatar National Day,” he added. “It is my tribute to my nation and its people.”
The theme of the celebrations is also reflected in exclusive dishes created for the occasion at restaurants and cafes in Galeries Lafayette Doha.
Limited-edition desserts and a savoury item have been carefully designed to celebrate the occasion.
Each dish is a gastronomical delight and equally pleasing to the eye and satisfying for the soul, the statement adds.
Galeries Lafayette Doha general manager Kevin Gerard Pender said: “Celebrating Qatar National Day every year is a part of the department store’s tradition.”
“It is also a perfect stage to highlight the unparalleled talent of the local artists and merge together patriotism and art with retail,” he added.
