One of the artworks on show at “Grey Times” exhibition at Doha Fire Station. Pic: Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
A diverse collection of thought-provoking artworks replete with varying themes is on show at “Grey Times” exhibition unveiled yesterday at Doha Fire Station Garage Gallery.
The multimedia projects were a product of creativity of 18 Doha-based artists as they reflected on the pandemic during their Fire Station residency.
The artists comprised the fifth batch of artists to take up a nine-month residency at the Fire Station which supports local artists by providing them with a platform to develop their creative practice.
“The “Grey Times” exhibition sheds light on the meaning of working on an obscure and unstable ground, one where certainties are lost and the future is unpredictable,” curator Dr. Bahaa Abudaya said in a statement.
Initially, the resident artists were to focus on the intersection between visual arts and literature by making artworks and projects inspired by a literary piece, but the unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic resulted in a shift in the artists’ vision as they adapted to the new situation embarking on a journey of discovery by examining the meaning of what was happening externally in society, and internally in their own lives.
“In their projects resident artists questioned the self by re-examining their identity, their memories and their childhood or took stock of the others’ by observing the surrounding community while in a reclusive state,” added Abudaya.
The artists’ output came in diverse forms including paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, video and photography that “reflect the concept of creativity in time of isolation.” They were created by a diverse group of artists from different backgrounds including Aisha Al Muhannadi, Ameera Al Aji, Amena Al Yousef, Ebtesam ‘Ebi’ Al Hothi, Hind Al Saad, Latifa Al Kuwari, Maryam Al Maadhadi, Mashael Al Hijazi, Muna Al-Bader, Naila Al Thani, Noor Yousef, Hadeer Omar, Haytham Sharrouf, Jaser Alagha, Majdulin Nasrallah, Mariam Rafehi, Maysaa Almumin, and Suzana Joumaa.
The exhibition is divided into two sections, the first of which is “A Look Outside” which presents the artists’ observations about their changing surroundings and experience of the ‘other’ during this difficult period by exploring the relationships between identity, political issues, environmental degradation and technological development.
The second section of the exhibition is “A Look Inside” where artists turn inwards, raising questions about their experiences during the lockdown and exploring issues of identity, memory and nostalgia.
“Grey Times”, which marks the end of Qatar Museums’ Artist in Residence programme this year, is open for public viewing until July 24 at Garage Gallery.
