For Qatari calligraphy and calligraffiti artist Fatima Alsharshani, the true value of public art lies not only in what it depicts but in the conversations it inspires. After unveiling an artwork at Montreal’s Mural Festival recently, the artist said creativity can connect people across cultures and strengthen mutual understanding through initiatives such as the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. Alsharshani told Gulf Times that international cultural initiatives create valuable opportunities for artists to reach new audiences while fostering meaningful exchanges between communities. “Cultural initiatives like the Year of Culture play an important role because they create meaningful opportunities for people to experience each other’s cultures directly. “They allow artists to move beyond simply presenting their work and instead create relationships, exchanges and conversations,” she said. Alsharshani added that such interactions encourage artistic growth by exposing artists to new perspectives and creative approaches. “When artists from different backgrounds meet, they bring their own histories, techniques and ways of seeing the world, and that exchange often leads to new creative ideas,” she said. According to Alsharshani, public art is particularly powerful because it becomes part of everyday life rather than remaining within gallery walls. “Creating art in a public space creates a different relationship between the artwork and the audience. A mural becomes part of people’s everyday environment — they encounter it naturally, whether they are looking for it or not,” she said. Unlike gallery visitors who intentionally seek out exhibitions, she noted that passersby encounter murals as part of the city’s rhythm, creating unexpected moments of reflection and connection. At the heart of her Montreal mural is a simple yet thought-provoking question: “When all that’s left is the story, what do we want it to say?” Asked how she hopes her own artistic journey will be remembered, the artist said she would like it to reflect curiosity, lifelong learning and a commitment to building bridges through art. “I hope my work is remembered as an effort to create bridges, between tradition and contemporary expression, and between people and cultures,” said Alsharshani. She expressed optimism about future collaborations between artists in Qatar and Canada, saying the two creative communities have much to learn from one another. “I believe collaborations between Qatar and Canada have great potential because both creative communities bring unique perspectives and experiences. Exchanges like this create opportunities for artists to learn from one another and discover new ways of approaching their work,” she said. She added that the most meaningful partnerships are built on genuine exchange, with ideas, stories and creative approaches flowing in both directions. “I look forward to seeing more opportunities where artists can come together, experiment and create work that reflects shared human experiences while celebrating cultural differences,” she said. Alsharshani believes art has a unique ability to foster cross-cultural dialogue because it enables people to connect through emotion, curiosity and shared experiences before language becomes a barrier. “My work brings elements of Qatari and Arabic culture into a contemporary artistic conversation, creating an opportunity for people to engage with it in a personal way,” she said.
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
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Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.
