Katara Arts Centre (KAC) has been hosting the works of three contemporary artists, presenting art lovers and enthusiasts with remarkable pieces that reflect unique approaches blending modernity with tradition and heritage.
The exhibitions, running until February 28, are open daily to the public from 11am to 9pm.
The featured works include 25 portrait paintings by Qatari artist Khalid Bumatar, titled “(Faces 2)”; a collection of the works of Qatari artist Asma Sami, titled “What Remains Familiar”; and a collection of the works of Iranian-born artist Hilva Alizadeh, titled “Singing in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon”.
KAC founder and director Tariq al-Jaidah stressed the importance of these three art exhibitions as they represent three different schools.
For instance, he said, Bumatar is considered a naturalist and self-taught artist with a unique style that blends heritage with modern perspectives, while Sami is a practising artist committed to featuring local tradition, culture and everyday life, evolving them into new forms and compositions.
Alizadeh is considered an international artist with a unique approach to representing Persian miniatures in lively designs using vibrant tapestries of synthetic hair.
Al-Jaidah said that the artistic scene and movements in Qatar are witnessing a great revival as the concerned entities.
Those in charge of culture and arts in the country give great attention to promoting arts and artists, especially emerging Qatari artists, and offer them all the due support, in addition to encouraging them to be active participants locally, regionally and internationally.
However, al-Jaidah said that all artists are welcome in Qatar, and they are also offered the due support and encouragement to develop and display their work.
Bumatar said that he had always been drawing and creating new works but only started to take part in exhibitions after his early retirement.
He sees great potential in exploring the various angles of human faces and draws them from different perspectives with various unique and expressive postures.
All his portraits feature intrinsic element of the original Qatari heritage, culture and traditions with lively faces that give the viewers ample areas of interpretation.
Bumatar said that the arts and culture atmosphere and environment in Qatar have been very encouraging for artists and innovators, stressing that such a positive approach at both the popular and official levels encourages artists, Qataris, and others to further exercise their creativity and produce original and diverse works.
He added that this is his second solo exhibition, and that he is ready to collaborate with the relevant entities to participate in both local and international exhibitions.
The artist also said the artistic movement in Qatar has been witnessing an unprecedented boom, with multiple museums, galleries, display halls, and specialised arts events all year round.
True gift and talent, Bumatar added, would certainly prevail and produce authentic art in the age of modern technology, as such technology can be utilised to spread that creativity and reach a wider audience.
Sami meanwhile said that she focuses on various elements of local heritage and culture, using them as symbols to capture moments of nostalgia.
In this exhibition, she has 17 different paintings with such focus.
Alizadeh said that he is happy to display his works in Doha, adding that Doha is an excellent position to be a global hub for innovative arts and artists from around the world.
He noted that the overall artistic scene in Qatar is very encouraging and promising of greater potential.