Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art will host a series of workshops delivered by established Iraqi artist Salim Mathkour, who will introduce emerging talents, art teachers and university students to the techniques of watercolour painting.
The workshops are part of Mathaf’s ‘Artist Encounters’ programme, which invites artists to discuss art concepts and lead sessions that introduce participants to different creative processes.
The programme is one of several educational initiatives presented by Mathaf to provide art enthusiasts with the tools to appreciate the complexities of the visual language.
The three-hour workshops will be held daily September 23-27 from 4pm to 7pm at the Manara learning space inside the museum. All workshops will be conducted in Arabic.
Based in Qatar since 1999, Mathkour is an established figure in the country’s creative community and has previously exhibited in a number of locations in Qatar and beyond.
Although his work appears to be inspired by daily life, the scenes are created as optimistic social and urban landscapes in opposition to the reality of conflicts that made him choose exile from his hometown, Baghdad.
Mathkour has conducted several workshops in the past, where he introduced participants to his dream-like artistic style, evident by his distinguished techniques and use of texture and colours.
Maryam al-Attiya, head of the Art Programmes Section at Mathaf, said: “Mathaf aspires to become a resource that introduces visitors to Arab artists and celebrates their contributions to the global art world. Thus, educational programmes are at the core of our community engagement initiatives. We are incredibly proud to host Salim Mathkour, an artist known for his unique style and poignant paintings.”
Since its launch, the ‘Artist Encounters’ programme has been “incredibly successful with emerging artists such as Fahad al-Maadheed and Eman al-Hidous leading sessions that reflect their working styles and creative processes”, a press statement notes.
The upcoming fall season is set to be a busy one for Mathaf.
The museum recently announced a series of exhibitions that shed light on key chapters of Arab modern art. ‘Revolution Generation’, curated by Abdellah Karroum, will introduce artists as vital actors of social change since the ’50s when it opens on October 17.
In parallel, Mathaf will also present an exhibition by Mounira al-Solh, ‘I strongly believe in our right to be frivolous’, curated by Hendrik Folkerts and Laura Barlow.
In the series of drawings, the exhibition collects personal histories and experiences that emerge from the humanitarian and political crises in Syria and the Middle East.
Two FOCUS exhibitions will also be on view at the same time, continuing the in-depth display series dedicated to historical artists from the museum’s collection.‘Fateh al-Moudarres: Colour, Extensity and Sense’, guest curated by Sara Raza, and ‘Jassim Zaini: Representation and Abstraction’, curated by Fatma Mostafawi will introduce visitors to the two artists’ creative vision and the contexts that shaped their works.
To register in ‘Artist Encounters’, one can follow the following link: https://form.jotform.me/82441159475461.