Cultural institutions in Qatar are adjusting to the ‘new normal’ imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic by putting up virtual exhibitions that reach out to a wider audience who can enjoy works of art in the comfort of their homes.
Organising virtual exhibitions underpins the great importance various institutions in the field accord to uplifting arts and culture during these challenging times when the threat of coronavirus renders it impossible for people to personally visit galleries and museums to interact with works of art.
Among the cultural institutions that are spearheading the transition of art exhibitions into online format is the Cultural Village Foundation — Katara which launched its very first virtual art exhibition earlier last month with “The Result” showcasing stunning paintings by Qatari artist Fatima Al Nuaimi.
Art enthusiasts can walk through the exhibition as if they were personally visiting a gallery by accessing the exhibition via Katara’s website. Visitors can look at each of Al Nuaimi’s 19 acrylic on canvas works up close and enjoy the vibrant colours and unique style employed by the artist in her new collection.
A graduate of Art Education from Qatar University and member of the Qatar Society Fine Arts, Al Nuaimi has already taken part in many local and international exhibitions. Through her artworks she has always sought meanings associated with forms using contemporary methods and media such as video art, installations, and paintings.
With sheer fascination on the notion of unexpected result in image of daily scenes and its impact on people’s lives, she presents paintings that reflect both unanticipated and foreseen results combined in one artwork to demonstrate the comparison between them.
Katara also launched another virtual exhibition titled “Al Taybeen,” this time focusing on paintings by another Qatari artist Ali Dasmal Al Kuwari.
Seventeen realist paintings depicting traditional objects and Qatari architecture which comprise a significant element of local culture and tradition are displayed at the virtual show. Traditional lamps, old metal doors and sand-stained rustic walls, staircases and minarets are among the images shown in Al Kuwari’s works being exhibited.
The prominent Qatari artist is also a member of the Qatar Society for Fine Arts, and has successfully featured in local and international exhibitions in Egypt, Italy, Kuwait, and Georgia among others. Recently, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) announced that it would soon launch four virtual exhibitions in in various themes namely NMoQ Creates Together, Habitats and Shelter, Qatar’s Culinary Journey, and Mal Lawal.
NMoQ Creates Together encourages community participation inviting art submissions from the community centred on the theme of COVID-19 pandemic which they can visually expressed in various art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photograph or film.
Inspired by the “Qatar Natural Environments” and “Life in Al Barr (desert),” Habitats and Shelter is aimed at exploring how living beings and creatures take shelter in times of uncertainty with the goal of survival.
Qatar’s Culinary Journey, on the other hand, will highlight traditional and personal interpretations on Qatari food and drink and the micro-story each recipe represents, while Mal Lawal seeks to provide a platform for collectors living in Qatar to share their personal collections with the public.