Qatari artist Hana Al Saadi working on a sculpture during the first open studio evening at the Fire Station on Thursday
Doha: The Fire Station has become a microcosm of Doha’s vibrant contemporary art landscape markedly evident in the diversity of works in progress of its 20 artists in residence.
Qatar Museums’ Fire Station “Artist in Residence” programme shows how the country gives impetus not only in bringing globally renowned artists to Qatar but also nurturing locally-based artists as well.
On Thursday, art enthusiasts from across Qatar had the chance to take a peek into the ongoing projects of the artists in residence from various nationalities all living in Doha, most of whom are Qataris.
One of the interesting pieces in progress is Qatari artist Hana Al Saadi’s “Ballerina in Abaya” sculpture.
Though fluent in other mediums, the young artist said she tends have a leaning on sculpture.
“I like the feeling of looking at the artwork from different angles all the time, seeing its extra details,” she told The Peninsula.
“This piece stemmed from a performance project I did several years ago. I thought about it deeper and decided I wanted to explore and extend it more so I’m creating sculpture and photography on this subject,” explained the VCUQ alumna.
Since she started with the programme two months ago, Maryam Ahmed, another Qatari artist, has already created ten paintings, most of which are portraits. “I began doing portraits a long time ago, paying particular attention on details of faces of people. I focus more on the face because the soul of the human being is revealed through the expression on the face,” she said.
Having hosted workshops in art centres across Doha and having participated in numerous art exhibitions, this prolific painter recently ventured on portrait sculpture which she is also practicing during her residency.
The complex experience of girlhood is the subject of Zoe Hawk’s paintings and drawings which adorn the walls of her studio at the Fire Station.
“I have done figurative works about the experience of growing up as a girl. I’ve created paintings of girls interacting with one another and playing games as well as stories and folklore that I’ve heard when I was a child,” said Hawk, who has also taken several residencies in different countries.
The artists consider the residency programme as a rare opportunity to grow as an artist by sharing and interacting with fellow artists as well as reach varied audiences.
Launched last year, the “Artist in Residence” programme is aimed at creating a space that offers an indigenous, local approach to creativity and artistic production. Over 150 Qatari artists and residents applied for the second cycle of the nine-month residency programme.
The finished artworks will be celebrated and showcased at the end of the residency through an exhibition at the Fire Station Garage Gallery.
