Doha, 16 Sept. 2021 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

We are lucky to have a vibrant expatriate community in Qatar. The exchange of cultures makes life rich and valuable in Qatar. We need to change ourselves in positive ways and that is the name of the exhibition, said Ali Al-Zainal, former Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO, while referring to ‘Changes’, a month-long art exhibition organised recently by the International Artist Doha (IAD).

The exhibition witnessed a diverse variety of creativity with as many as 22 Qatar-based artists from different nationalities showcasing their works.

The exhibition, which opened at Workinton, Burj Al Gassar, in West Bay district, brought about a feel of freshness with the artists having their first public display after more than a year and-a-half. The expo observed strictly the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Those present on the occasion were dignitaries, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, art lovers, and executive committee members of IAD.  Ambassador of Cuba to Qatar HE Oscar León González was the chief guest on the opening of the exhibition.

In his key note speech, the Cuban envoy thanked the organisers and the participating artists for providing a positive change. He said that ‘Changes’, in his view,
is the right way of honoring a series of concrete outcomes in the work of the International Artists Doha, “because changes are those we can see in the mix of techniques that we enjoy today in these art treasures. Art is a chronicler of its time, and this is what we can admire in the paintings exhibited in this room – a chronicle of changes triggered by the pandemic from personal views and the perspectives of authors of this exhibition”.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, María Al-Bader, IAD Chairwoman and spouse of Ambassador of Qatar to Cuba, lauded the creative efforts of the 22 participating artists, and the guests for their encouragement.

The exhibition will run until the end of this month.

Al-Bader, on behalf of IAD artists, thanked ‘Workinton’ for hosting the exhibition, saying, “The last two years have been very difficult for everyone in many aspects, and of course, for IAD in holding any exhibition. However, the artists have never stopped creating and the fantasy that every artist has in their souls survived the reality and has made it possible to present their awesome work during this exhibition titled ‘Changes’.”

At the opening ceremony, Yukari Murasaki, an amazingly talented artist and spouse of ambassador of Japan to Qatar, presented a Japanese song and Japanese folk dance for the gathering.

She said, “I am honoured to be a part of the lovely event. Art, music and fashion are universal languages that create bridges between peoples. ‘Changes’ is a thing that I am sometimes afraid of but being the wife of a diplomat, I always take advantage by changing my surroundings.”

Talking to Qatar Tribune on the occasion, Ali Al-Zainal, International Cooperation Affairs Advisor, office of the Minister of education and Higher education, and former Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNeSCO, said: “It was an opportunity to meet people and enjoy the art. We enjoyed the singing and traditional Japanese dance presented by the spouse of Japanese ambassador. It was a real international atmosphere.”

Kerem Mergen, General Manager of Workinton, said, “We are a co-working place established in 2018 with the vision of being a little more than an office space. We wanted to have a platform where people can socialize and network. We are proud to be partners of IAD for the exhibition. We will continue to bring more such exhibitions in future.

He said that we wanted to have such events to show that we are not just an office space facility. We have empty walls that we decided to decorate with beautiful
art works and to support the artist community.”