There is a deep sense of nostalgia in the latest monochrome series created by Qatari artist Bouthayna Al Muftah in her attempt to archive an important aspect of the history of her people now rarely found in books. And she triumphs through the effective amalgam of form, colour and texture to visually document the profundity of state of longing in all the eight paintings for her Yeebhom’ (Bring them back) series.
This is one reason why it is but only fitting to make Al Muftah’s works the centerpiece of ‘Currents’ collective exhibition which recently opened at W Doha’s Art 29 to a warm reception from art collectors and enthusiasts across the country. The exhibition title has dual meaning. While it refers to the status quo where art is used as a potent tool in the free flow of information, thus plays an important part as a catalyst in the region’s growth and development, it also pertains to convergence of eight featured artists from all corners of the region brought together by the currents of the Arabian Gulf and beyond.
Inspired by the ancient traditional Qatari song “Toub Toub Ya Bahar!”(Ocean Waters, Repent!”) sung by women along the shore waiting with anticipation for the safe return of their loved ones from pearl diving, Al Muftah’s works on display are replete with longing, anxiety and hope.
“The series is about women and how they would sing this song as their husbands, sons and brothers used to venture to the seas for pearl diving, not knowing whether they will be able to come back. They sing passionately to the sea demanding it to keep its waters calm, to bring them home safely,” she told The Peninsula.
Alluding to the sea, the artworks, therefore, strongly resonates the theme of the exhibition.
With very close affinity with the sea dating back to the pre-oil era when the ocean mainly provides their livelihood, Qataris have created rich oral literature through maritime songs which the artist tries to preserve in her own way.
“The main idea is to highlight these songs, to preserve some aspects of our culture that I feel kind of disintegrating and can rarely be found in books today. You have to be asking around a lot, speaking to people who have lived through this. And this is my way of archiving our history and our stories from the past translated in a very abstract contemporary manner,” she explained.
All the paintings are monochromatic to achieve the intended effect in harmony with the concept as well as articulate her artistic expression.
“The monochromatic scheme is something that I do a lot and it reflects me as a person as well, and because the pieces delve into our past I felt that monochromatic is something that really fits with the stories that are being told,” she said.
Hints of inspiration from known artists can be observed from Al Muftah’s works which took some time to conceptualise.
“The style of the artworks is very impulsive and I would like to say very ‘spur of the moment’ kind of action painting inspired by masters like Franz Kline, and a little bit of Pablo Picasso, Cy Twombly, and so on,” she noted.
“Including research, worked for the series for about almost a year now. Although it looks monochromatic and simple, the process was a bit difficult. There is a process involved as well as layers so this is the final outcome.”
Beginning at a tender age, the artist has evolved in her style but one thing that remains is her keen interest on her culture.
“I had one exhibition two years ago with Qatar Museums’ Al Riwaq Gallery where a series of portraits I had done were displayed on a large wall. It was about women and traditional jewellery - a similar kind of concept on preservation of past memories. I’m more into culture, heritage and tradition.”
Bouthayna Al Muftah is one of the artists with Emergeast- a pioneering online gallery which shines the spotlight on emerging artists from the Middle East.
“We promote emerging artists from the Middle East region, bringing them to the forefront and presenting them to young collectors who want to start their own collection at an affordable price point. Each of our artists is well vetted. We do due diligence and select the artists that we believe are going to be big in the future,” said Nikki Meftah, co-founder of Emergeast.
Meftah considers Al Muftah, which is one of the founding artists’ of Emergeast “ one of the fast-rising Qatari artists and one of the strongest female artists of the region now” that is why her works are the highlight of Emergeast’s first foray in Doha-a city which currently witnesses a vibrant art scene.
“Doha’s art landscape is progressing very fast. The museum culture is very impressive and what I respect and admire is the educational foundation being laid out for the new generation to appreciate and cultivate art,” said Dima Abdul Kader, Emergeast co-founder.
In general, there is a growing exuberance in the region’s flourishing art landscape teeming with contemporary artists producing works allowing for a lively artistic discourse and a means to reflect to their heritage for the world to see.
“There are many emerging artists in the region, and there can never be enough entities or foundations to support them all. That’ s why we decided to launch an online gallery to be able to bring on artists and not be limited to the four walls of the gallery,” said Al Meftah.
The exhibition also features works by Ghada Al Muhammedi, Lulu M, PegahLari, Rabee Baghshani, Roxana Manoucheri, Shadi Talaei, and Perryhan El Ashmawi in varying forms and mediums from traditional forms to new media, including silk screen, resin on canvas, digital collage and mixed media on paper.
The exhibition is open to the public from 9am to 7pm every day until May 20 at the at Art 29 at W Doha Hotel and Residences.
