“They are not alone” (left) and “Scars of Humanity” by Hassan Alsalat on display at ‘Artists in the time of COVID-19’ exhibition which opened yesterday at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum. RAYNALD C RIVERA/THE PENINSULA
Sixty varying artworks by Qatar-based artists are on show at ‘Artists in the time of COVID-19’ exhibition, which opened yesterday at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum (FBQ Museum).
Many museum visitors, artists and art enthusiasts came to see the rich collection of artworks created by artists from different backgrounds and ages which consist of paintings, digital prints, photography, installations, videos, and mixed media, among others.
The art pieces reveal how the artists have coped with the pandemic, turning fear and anxiety as well as hope and determination into creativity. Among the interesting artworks on show are Michael Conjusta’s acrylic painting titled “COVID-19 Heroes”, Basma Abouzeid’s pastel on paper ‘Wishing the Coronavirus pandemic ends soon”, Hassan Alsalat’s digital print “Scars of Humanity” and a mosaic piece called “Looking into the Future” created by Naseema Shukhoor using around 5,000 black-and-white textile buttons.
FBQ Museum’s The White Majlis, an independent space offering common ground for the creative community, hosts the exhibition which runs until October 3. The show is the first instalment of a three-part exhibition series which is a product of a crowd-sourced initiative launched by the museum in April which encouraged artists in the country to translate their thoughts and experiences of the pandemic into stunning art pieces to be enjoyed by art enthusiasts.
With an overwhelming response from the country’s art community, demonstrated by the huge variety of artworks received by the museum, it decided to present the artworks in three exhibitions. The second and third parts of the exhibition are scheduled to be held from October 9 to November 7 and from November 13 to December 12, respectively. The exhibition provides art lovers and museum visitors added value to their tour with an exceptional experience and inspiring pieces of art created by more than 30 talented Qatar-based artists.
Established in 1998 as a non-profit museum foundation of public interest, FBQ Museum is home to a growing collection of more than 50,000 objects developed throughout decades of dedicated and enthusiastic collecting of a diverse and eclectic body of works across four themes, including Islamic Art, Qatar Heritage, Vehicles, and Coins & Currency coming from four continents and different time periods.
