Qatar Museums (QM) is consolidating the State’s efforts to become a vibrant center for the arts, culture and education, in the Middle East and beyond. This was evident when QM launched major exhibitions at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The much anticipated “A Falcon’s Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Saoud Al Thani” opened at MIA. This exhibition which runs until April 10 next year celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of one of Qatar’s greatest collectors, who was largely responsible for laying the foundation for Qatar Museums’ world-class collections.
The exhibition showcases more than 300 outstanding art works from prehistoric fossils and Egyptian antiquities to Orientalist paintings and masterpieces of the history of photography in a spectacular display following the concept of Renaissance “cabinets of curiosities”, reflecting Sheikh Saoud’s fascination with both natural history and the world of art. Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said: “In the years before Qatar Museums was founded, Sheikh Saoud combined his intense, wide-ranging personal curiosity and passion for collecting with a publicspirited dedication to developing the cultural and educational resources of the State of Qatar.
Through his remarkable achievements, he left an invaluable legacy to his nation. Qatar Museums is pleased to commemorate Sheikh Saoud with this dazzling exhibition.” Since its foundation in 2005, QM has overseen the development of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Fire Station: Artists in Residence, The National Museum of Qatar and other projects. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, located in Education City, is presenting two major monograph exhibitions by leading women artists and an extensive survey of art and culture in Doha from 1960 to today.
The exhibitions started on August 2. The exhibitions are part of the extensive programme of exhibitions, artists residencies, research projects, discussions, workshops and community events taking place in Mathaf’s 10th anniversary year. Established by Qatar Museums in partnership with Qatar Foundation, Mathaf’s role is to increase understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary artists from the Arab world. Mathaf also provides a unique platform for rising young generation artists, as well as organising extensive education programmes, and producing authoritative documentation and peer reviewed academic research. QM is committed to promoting Qatar’s future generation of arts, heritage and museum professionals. By fostering a spirit of national participation, QM is helping Qatar find its own distinctive voice in today’s global cultural debates.
