An oil-on-canvas painting by Muammar Tazi on show at Souq Waqif Art Centre.PIC: Raynald C Rivera | The Peninsula
Everyday mundane scenes at the most visited souq in Qatar have been immortalised on canvas by a group of talented Doha-based artists whose works are currently on display at an exhibition at Souq Waqif Art Centre. One of the major touristic hubs in the country, Souq Waqif has inspired countless artists for its unique structure which exudes a distinctive ambience which takes visitors back in the past.
The rustic feel of over a thousand shops with their wooden doors lining up along the narrow alleyways and cobbled streets, which witness influx of people from different walks of life, has been a common inspiration for many artists, and the pieces showcased at the exhibition are no exception.
Located at Souq Waqif Art Centre Gallery 1, this latest show features 10 paintings by a diverse group of artists depicting various activities at different corners of the famous traditional market. In her oil-on-canvas piece, Archana Bhardawj captures the vibrancy of Souq Waqif’s busiest street with diners enjoying scrumptious meals in an outdoor setting as visitors saunter along the cobbled walkway with the playful Turkish ice cream vendor interacting with a child. Dawoud Aguinaldo has chosen the perfect medium in his charcoal drawing of Qatari horsemen mounted on gallant white Arabian horses roaming around the souq’s streets with the towering image of the national flag.
‘Al Hamali’ (porters) who are old men carrying wheelbarrows containing goods purchased by buyers from the shops are the subject of the paintings by Shital Dandekar, Wafa Al Sebaei, and Muammar Tazi. Another painting by Dandekar captures the festive and celebratory atmosphere at the souq with a painting of musicians playing traditional tunes. Situated in the heart of Souq Waqif, a main tourist attraction in Doha, Souq Waqif Art Center enjoys an excellent position as a major art hub which sees a large number of visitors year round. Despite the pandemic, many art enthusiasts visit the centre which follows COVID-19 safety protocols in receiving visitors.
The art centre is home to a number of Qatari and expatriate artists who create their art pieces in front of visitors. Several workshops have been hosted by the centre including drawing, pottery, sculpture, painting and hand skills workshops, among others. With tiled walls accented by a multitude of multi-coloured lamps hanging from the high ceilings crafted with wood poles, the centre’s interiors which dominantly reflect Qatari and Islamic architecture are one of the most Instagrammable spots for tourists visiting the souq
