Arts and culture connoisseurs need not only look at Paris and New York but also to Qatar, which can match what other top international art destinations could offer, according to one of the founders of Pallas Art, the country’s first registered arts brokerage.
Pallas Arts is the latest addition to Qatar’s growing organic arts and culture scene, and was founded to help local artists gain international recognition and bring new artworks and exhibitions to Qatar through local collaborations with Qatar Museums (QM) and Katara – the Cultural Village, among others.
“Qatar’s arts and culture economy is driven by a mix of strategic leadership by the likes of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and Qatar Museums, and organic, public and artist-led community initiatives. As the country moves towards the cultural goals set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030, we want to support it.
“We also believe that Qatar can emulate places like Paris and New York in terms of what it can offer art and culture lovers – but done so in a way that it’s authentic to Qatar’s rich history and culture just like what the Museum of Islamic Art and the Fire Station has done,” said Pallas Arts co-founder Alvaro Mejia, who spoke during an exclusive media briefing at the Mondrian Hotel on Sunday.
According to co-founder Mariame Farqane, Qatar has quickly established itself as a regional hub for arts and culture. “Our ambition is to emulate the great arts cities of the world like Paris and New York right here in Doha,” Farqane pointed out.
Co-founder Lewnis Boudaoui also said: “This is not only about supporting Qatari and Arab artists, and bringing new exhibitions to Doha. This is about using art as a force for good – particularly in supporting young orphans around the word.
Boudaoui explained that Pallas Arts will be using art, auctions, and exhibitions to support charitable and humanitarian projects in Qatar and overseas. It will use proceeds to fund a unique project called the Bab’El Institute, which will promote intercultural exchange and education on the connection between Western and Eastern culture.
“We are proud to be using proceeds from our exhibitions and auctions to launch the Bab’El Institute – a centre that will also develop a revolutionary approach to orphan education,” Boudaoui continued.
Pallas Arts also revealed that its official music partner is Dana Alfardan, who will be composing pieces for upcoming events, while Sheikha Nouf Faisal al-Thani will be supporting the project with flowers from her business HENKS.
On February 17, Pallas Arts will hold its first pop-up exhibition and will showcase artworks from international and Qatari emerging talents, such as Yousef Bahzad.
To mark Pallas Arts official Qatar launch, internationally acclaimed urban artist, Cyril Kongo, showcased his latest project yesterday – a custom painted 1983 Rolls Royce Silver Spur. Kongo’s piece, which will be completed in Qatar, will later go up for auction with proceeds going to charitable courses.
Mondrian Hotel general manager Axel Gasser said, “We are honoured to be hosting Pallas Arts’ launch at Mondrian Doha. Art and design is at the core of our DNA at sbe entertainment, and we can’t think of a better place to launch the initiative.”
