Pic by Abdul Basit/ The Peninsula
Public art in Qatar has developed significantly over the past ten years, becoming a medium for dialogue. And as the year goes on, it will become more vibrant, propelling the growth of the country’s creative ecosystem, according to Abdulrahman Al Ishaq, Director of Public Art at Qatar Museums.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Qatar Creates press conference held recently at Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha. He explained that each public artwork has a message and concept that it tries to convey to the public and that “people at times would adapt or challenge this concept, and we think it’s a great tool for dialogue.”
Moreover, he underscored that the future of Qatar public art scene will be more thriving. “The future we’re looking at Qatar art scene will be more vibrant, more culturally and artistically literate. As public, we look at our region and we’re trying to learn and trying to be the best as always.”
More than 100 public artworks by renowned Qatari, local, regional, and worldwide artists have been installed around Qatar during the past ten years, transforming the country into an outdoor art museum. These works of art have been installed throughout Qatar. They can be seen in Doha’s downtown, on its outskirts and even in the country’s deserts.
“Art is an industry and through our Public Art Initiative we aim to play a role in accelerating the development of the creative ecosystem, which in return will develop Qatar’s knowledge-based economy and widen the reach of Qatar’s cultural diplomacy,” Al Ishaq said.
The director noted that the public art is among the stronger points of Qatar Museums. “In the last 10 years, public art has grown spectacularly and right now we believe that we are ahead in the region in regards of public art.” Al Ishaq said years ago they were doing a case study in O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and now others are doing a similar case study in Hamad International Airport (HIA).
HIA is a home to a number of public artworks from both local and international artists, including Desert Horse sculpture, A Message of Peace to the World, the Flying Man, COSMOS, Small Lie, and the Lamp/Bear, which is the most well-known among these and the subject of most tourist images.
On art appreciation, Al Ishaq said that they see that art is being appreciated more in the country.
Pouce sculpture by César Baldaccini located in Souq Waqif. Photo credit: Qatar Tourism
Efforts are also in place for people especially students to be engaged in art through the Public Art Student Competition now in its third year. The director stated that they have noticed an improvement in the calibre and maturity of the students’ artwork throughout the years. “We watched with great surprise that students know the economy of art, how to create a project and how to start. The purpose of this is for them to enter the market.”
He cited the Thumb at Souq Waqif as one of the unexpectedly most successful public artworks in the country. The installation by Italian artist César Baldaccini has become a prominent marker, a familiar spot where people agree to meet at the traditional market.
