Two Qatari artists completed collaborative murals at the School of Architecture of the Austral University of Chile (UACh) in Valdivia, as part of the 2025 international “Years of Culture” programme. The initiative was part of Jedariart, a project that promotes cultural dialogue and the reimagining of public spaces through mural art. Jedariart is a programme launched in 2020 by Qatar Museums to beautify public spaces with murals created by both local and international artists. Since its first edition, the project has expanded to include interventions in US cities, collaborations with collectives from India and Pakistan, and community activities with schoolchildren.
Over a week of work, from November 7 to 14, artists Mubarak al-Malik and Aisha al-Fadhala created murals that expressed the connection between Qatari and Chilean cultures, accompanied by students from UACh’s Architecture and Visual Arts programmes. The project, organised by Years of Culture in partnership with George Mason University, the Austral University of Chile, and the Institute of Public Art (IPA), was an experience that combined art, education, and cultural diplomacy.
“It was very special to bring a piece of Qatar to Chile and see how people became interested in our story. My mural blends traditional symbols, such as the batula—which represents motherhood and home in our culture, with elements of the Chilean landscape, like the copihue flower. It is a visual conversation between two worlds,” al-Malik said. For her part, al-Fadhala highlighted the warmth of the local reception, saying: “My experience in Valdivia was incredible.
I was welcomed by a rainstorm and many smiles. Painting here allowed me to discover a unique nature, full of colour and life. In my mural, I wanted to merge the beauty of Valdivia with symbols from my country, such as a Qatari woman enjoying Arabic coffee among the flowers of southern Chile”. The artistic exchange is part of the 2025 edition of Years of Culture, a programme that this year partners Qatar with Chile and Argentina, promoting mutual understanding through creativity.
“That Valdivia was chosen as one of the host cities shows the programme’s commitment to decentralising art and encouraging encounters between diverse communities,” said Edgar Endress, Chilean artist and professor at George Mason University, who co-ordinated the collaboration between the teams from Qatar and UACh. Throughout the week, public talks and visits to local heritage sites were also held, creating spaces for dialogue among artists, students, and academics about the role of public art as a tool for intercultural exchange.
Over a week of work, from November 7 to 14, artists Mubarak al-Malik and Aisha al-Fadhala created murals that expressed the connection between Qatari and Chilean cultures, accompanied by students from UACh’s Architecture and Visual Arts programmes. The project, organised by Years of Culture in partnership with George Mason University, the Austral University of Chile, and the Institute of Public Art (IPA), was an experience that combined art, education, and cultural diplomacy.
“It was very special to bring a piece of Qatar to Chile and see how people became interested in our story. My mural blends traditional symbols, such as the batula—which represents motherhood and home in our culture, with elements of the Chilean landscape, like the copihue flower. It is a visual conversation between two worlds,” al-Malik said. For her part, al-Fadhala highlighted the warmth of the local reception, saying: “My experience in Valdivia was incredible.
I was welcomed by a rainstorm and many smiles. Painting here allowed me to discover a unique nature, full of colour and life. In my mural, I wanted to merge the beauty of Valdivia with symbols from my country, such as a Qatari woman enjoying Arabic coffee among the flowers of southern Chile”. The artistic exchange is part of the 2025 edition of Years of Culture, a programme that this year partners Qatar with Chile and Argentina, promoting mutual understanding through creativity.
“That Valdivia was chosen as one of the host cities shows the programme’s commitment to decentralising art and encouraging encounters between diverse communities,” said Edgar Endress, Chilean artist and professor at George Mason University, who co-ordinated the collaboration between the teams from Qatar and UACh. Throughout the week, public talks and visits to local heritage sites were also held, creating spaces for dialogue among artists, students, and academics about the role of public art as a tool for intercultural exchange.