Doha
11 June 2017

Qatar Museum’s (QM) Fire Station ‘Artist in Residence’ programme, a landmark initiative designed to grow the next generation of artistic talent, concluded Residency exhibition titled ‘Unfolding Creative Methods’, which celebrates the accomplishments of the 20 talented artists that have been in residency at the Fire Station for the past nine months.

Under the guidance of Qatar Museums’ Chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the exhibition will be open until 19th August 2017, and showcases a selection of striking works from each of the artists during their residency.

The exhibition is on show at the Fire Station’s Garage Gallery, and features works spanning a range of different mediums including art, photography, video, design, painting, poetry and drawings, and incorporates a variety of processes, research and finished outcomes. The exhibition provides artists with a platform where they can showcase their works and skills to the media, the community, fans of art and culture and collectors.

On show as part of the exhibition are works of art by ten Qatari artists in residence, including Abeer Al Kuwari, Hana Al Saadi and Fahad Ahmed Al Obaidly. Abeer Al Kuwari’s works focus on portrait photography and still life, and her work is influenced by Qatar’s heritage and environment. Hana Al Saadi’s kinetic sculptures allow viewers to admire the simple movements in still objects that we see every day. Fahad Ahmed Al Obaidly is a fashion designer and curator, whose profound love for culture and heritage is his main source of inspiration, which visitors will see translates into his trend setting designs, on show in the exhibition.

Commenting on the exhibition launch, Khalifa Al Obaidli, Director of the Fire Station, said:
“I am astounded yet again by the talent, passion and hard work of our 20 artists in residence, who have really raised the bar and produced some beautiful works of art during their nine months in residency. This is our second end of year residency exhibition, and this year has been another huge success. The exhibition clearly highlights just how much our artistic community in Qatar is growing and flourishing, and I look forward to seeing this continue with the next generation of creative individuals in the years to come.”

The Fire Station Artist in Residence programme began in September 2015. During the residency, resident artists take their passion to the next level. They move into one of the studios, collaborate with fellow creatives and develop their own technique. They meet curators, benefit from weekly mentoring sessions and meet arts professionals from all over the world, representing Qatar in the international cultural community.

The Fire Station will welcome the next batch of talented creatives in September 2017. 172 applications have been received from creative individuals across the country, eager to become one of the next artists to take part.

The full list of the 20 talented artists that are showcasing their works as part of the 2016-2017 Artist in Residence programme are:

1. Frances Grane 2. Fahad Al Obaidly 3. Lulu Al Musfer 4. Zoe Hawk

5. Zach Stensen 6. Amr Elkafrawy 7. Richard Blackwell 8. Hana Al Saadi

9. Maryam Ahmed 10. Maryam Al Suwaidi 11. Mariah Dekkenga 12. Tanzeela Abbasi

13. Ahmed Al Jufairi 14. Maryam Al Semaitt 15. Nawar Al Mutlaq 16. Abeer Al Kuwari

17. Nesma Khodier 18. Juan Martinez 19. Maryam Al Homaid 20. Titika Stamouli

Oil and gas exploration and production company Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd. (Oxy Qatar) is the ‘Principal Sponsor’ of QM’s Fire Station Artist in Residence programme.