Qatar’s creative landscape has quickly flourished – one that is thriving in the arts. From acquiring public artworks to hosting exhibitions by prominent artists, the country remains committed to cultivating its local artistic talents.
In collaboration with Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar Foundation’s Arabic documentary titled Through the Archways of Art will premiere on Tuesday, 20 June at 8 pm on Al Jazeera Documentary. It will highlight Qatar’s emerging art scene and the role that Qatar Foundation plays in fostering the country’s commitment to the arts.
A tribute to Qatar Foundation
The short film pays tribute to the collection of Qatar Foundation, which is now home to a number of exceptional art pieces found inside and outside the buildings in Education City, including the art installation Seeroo fi al ardh, by the late Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain, also known as M.F. Husain.
Speakers from different Qatar Foundation entities and local stakeholders discuss various topics in the 24-minute documentary, including the role of art in shaping societies, the relationship between art and culture, the impact that art on a person’s development, and Seeroo fi al ardh. Located next to the Al Shaqab arena, the audio-visual installation falls in alignment with M.F. Husain’s passion for creativity and freedom.
Qatari artist Yousef Ahmed, who is featured in the documentary, said that M.F. Husain was interested in subjects related to the Earth and people, and has featured horses in his artwork, which is consistent with his vision – that the world has no limits.
Ahmed added that Qatar has always been an incubator of creativity and art from all over the world, and Seeroo fi al ardh is an opportunity to present the history of the artist in a manner worthy of him and his art.
The art installation has become a distinguished work of Arab contemporary art with a significant link to the region’s history, people and their contribution to human civilisation. Today, art is playing a major role in creating dialogue and stimulating critical thinking.
Designer and visual artist Majdulin Nasrallah said that as a teacher, she makes sure that her students have the incentive to explore the world around them. She said that art classes push students to discover artworks by different artists and get into discussions with other people, which helps them mature and develop as artists. Nasrallah is an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.
The full documentary with English subtitles, will be available to watch on the Qatar Foundation website once it has aired. To visit Seeroo fi al ardh in Education City, register and reserve a viewing slot on the Education City app, which may be downloaded on the App Store and Google Play.
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