The 6th edition of the Qatar International Arts Festival (QIAF) 2024, organised by Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation in collaboration with Maps International, the International Council of Museums, and the British Council, will conclude Saturday with an awards ceremony at Katara Hall 12.
This year’s festival attracted thousands of art enthusiasts and showcased the creativity of 350 artists from 73 countries. Visitors engaged with a variety of events, including workshops, dialogue sessions, and vibrant musical and artistic performances.
A number of Qatari artists highlighted the festival’s significance in promoting their artistic vision and connecting them with a global audience. Aida al-Mulla expressed her pride in participating with six paintings inspired by Qatari heritage. Using oil and mixed materials, she highlighted how the festival opened new opportunities by introducing global artistic experiences and innovative creative works that enrich the local and international cultural scene.
Maysaa al-Yafei presented two paintings that combined Qatari and Palestinian heritage. She emphasised that her work aims to highlight the resilience of Gaza’s people. She praised the festival for attracting artists from across the globe and positioning itself as a leading international platform that inspires and renews artistic and cultural expressions.
Kholoud al-Sulaiman, participating for the second consecutive year, described the festival as an opportunity to showcase her innovative techniques. She presented four paintings with philosophical themes exploring the human spirit and creativity, including works titled ‘Ocean Waves’, ‘Currents of Thought’, ‘Shores of Inspiration’, and ‘Angel’.
First-time participant artist Sheikha Salem al-Hamoud expressed her joy in contributing alongside prominent artists. She highlighted the festival’s role in fostering artistic dialogue, exchanging expertise, and elevating Doha’s position as a global hub for creativity and plastic arts. Her paintings reflected Arab, Persian, Turkish, and Andalusian influences, featuring intricate decorations, miniatures, and Arabic calligraphy, with some pieces incorporating pure gilding.
The six-day festival featured a lineup of 14 events, including: Artistic workshops and live drawing sessions, seminars and cultural dialogues, musical and fashion shows inspired by the participating artworks, and a unique underwater painting display.
A total of 16 pavilions showcased works from countries including Qatar, Armenia, Argentina, China, France, Mexico, Russia, and the US, among others.
