Fire Station artist to exhibit Paris works

Ghada al-Khater, a Qatari political ARToonist who gained recognition and praise for her blockade-inspired art, has successfully completed a three-month residency programme at the renowned Citeinternationale des Arts, Paris, one of the biggest and most important art residencies in the world.Held under the patronage of Qatar Museums (QM) chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Paris Residency is an extension of QM’s Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme in Doha.To celebrate her accomplishments, al-Khater will host an exhibition at the Doha Fire Station today at 9.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to meet Ghada and learn about her experience in Paris and learn about her latest projects. Accompanying the public session, the Fire Station will host an exhibition to showcase the artworks created during her time in Paris. One of her most recent works, completed during the Paris residency is “Blockade: Energy Drink,” which presents a humorous take on how the blockade motivated the country to move forward while relying on its own people. Khalifa al-Obaidly, director of the Fire Station, said: “I have watched Ghada’s work with great interest and delight. Her pieces are smart and funny, resonating with the people’s minds by encapsulating so much of what we want to say in striking imagery. I invite the public to see her latest satirical work which continues to showcase her uncanny ability to find humour in irrationality.”Al-Khater is the fourth Qatari artist to work in Paris through QM’s residency initiative, following three spectacular showings from Ebtisam al-Saffar, Nasser al-Attiya and Abdulla al-Kuwari who also hosted open studios at the Citeinternationale des Arts and the Doha Fire Station. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar with a BFA in Graphic Design, al-Khater tackles subjects of freedom of speech and fake news, both topics which have come to prominence since the diplomatic and economic blockade on Qatar. Two of her ARToons “Tamim Kg” and “Aljazeera” have gained recognition and resonance throughout social media in Qatar last year. She also tackles Middle Eastern issues more broadly, including the Palestinian cause.The Qatari Art Residency Programme is a recurring three-month residency open to all Qatari artists, and provides one talented individual with studio accommodation space and the chance to be fully immersed in Paris’ art and culture scene.For more information about the Paris Residency, artists should visit: http://www.firestation.org.qa/artists-paris-residency