Paintings by Fatima Mohamed on display at Dual Inspirations exhibition at the Fire Station. (Pics: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula)
DOHA: Imaginative works by Qatari artists never fail to turn heads at the ongoing Dual Inspirations exhibition at the Fire Station for the sheer originality of concept and message. The ten Qatari artists’ works on show are a product of another successful Artist in Residence programme which ran for nine months at the Fire Station.
There was a lot of interest generated from art enthusiasts who visited the recent opening of the exhibition which served as a culmination of the programme which was in its third cycle.
One of the artists whose works captivated many visitors at the exhibition is Fatima Mohamed, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University who focuses mainly on the changing social anatomy of the Arabian Gulf. She created a fictional character who served as inspiration for her diverse body of works ranging from painting to sculpture to performance. Called 3naj, the character is part Arab and part American female bald eagle nurturing to her young providing them food, shelter, freedom and independence.
Qatari artist Ahmed Nooh’s ‘Traces of Life’
Fatma Al Nuaimi, on the other hand, draws inspiration from the tangible world around her to achieve a sense of truth in her work. For her residency, she created a series called The Result which comprise paintings and installations combining uncontrollable and expected results into a single artwork. For The Result 3 she used wood, ink, paper and metal to make an installation which not only appeals visually but also invites participation from the beholder in what seems to be an ongoing artistic creation.
Sincerity and resistance to preconceived templates is key to Ahmed Nooh’s unique artistic style. In Traces of Life, Ahmed assembled burnt books to underline the crucial role book plays in life and how people nowadays take them for granted.
Mubarak Al Thani, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Politics and Master’s in Urban Planning depicts politics, history, landscapes, architecture, city life, people, interaction and movement in his works characterized by constructivism emphasizing on geometric abstraction.
'The Result 3’, an installation by artist Fatma Al Nuaimi.
Versatile artist Shouq Al Mana, who has a strong interest in poetry and culture in contemporary Qatari society, depicts patriotism brought about by the blockade in her Turn of Events series she made using acrylic ink and charcoal on paper.
Other Qatari artists whose works are featured at the exhibition include Yasser Al Mulla, Aisha Al-Fadhala, Aisha Al Malki, May Almannai and Yousef Bahzad.
Fire Station Artist in Residence is open to Doha-based artists including expatriates and for this cycle, there were eight expatriate artists who took part in the programme whose works are also shown at the exhibition. They include Islam Shehab (Egypt), Alexandra Jawe Oddie (UK), Wajiha Pervez (Pakistan), Paul Valentine (USA), Ryan Browning (USA), Rachel Leah Cohn (USA), Diogo Esteves (Portugal) and Yassmin Al Khasawneh (Jordan).
Everyone is welcome to view the exhibition which is open until October 1 at the Garage Gallery of the Fire Station.
