Doha, November 10 (QNA) - Qatar Museums Gallery in Katara is hosting an exhibition for Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad, a pioneer of Qatar's modern art movement whose artistic journey has spanned more than three decades and whose work has been influenced by his surroundings and emotional ties with Qatar's culture and traditions.
The exhibition, entitled "Yousef Ahmad: Story of Ingenuity," starts Tuesday and highlights the Qatari artist's body of work through a selection of his most striking artworks from his early career in the 1970s until today. It showcases three phases in his artistic development from the early oil paintings that include the historic depiction of Al Zubarah Fort, to his mixed media calligraphic pieces and then through to his new conceptual artworks presenting his ability in developing an innovative artistic style.
"The future of our arts, heritage and museum professionals is shaped and influenced by the progress and contribution of our country's existing artistic and creative talent. We're therefore incredibly fortunate and owe a debt of gratitude to Yousef Ahmad as one of our country's most significant figures and we’re excited to be able to present his artwork in this way," Qatar Museums Director of Communications Hamad Al Eida said.
"This exhibition should be enjoyed by the widest possible audiences alongside the other events and exhibitions in Doha during November and, under the visionary guidance of our Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, we hope it will help to foster a spirit of national participation in art, creativity and heritage." Ahmad's strong affection for Qatar is evident both in the inspiration he draws from the country in his work but also the media and materials he uses. His work celebrates the gentle quietness of Qatar's sea, the flat expanses of its desert and the serene openness of the sky. His connection is strengthened by his use of materials including local palm trees from which he produces handmade paper and in using desert pigments from the ground and earth of Qatar to create earthy and rustic effects.
Describing the exhibition, he said: "As a local artist who has had the privilege to train abroad, I find so much in our environment that excites and inspires me. What’s more, the opportunity to share my works with the people of Qatar is inspiring and humbling, and I hope that my journey encourages future generations of local artists to follow their creative dreams. I’m proud to play an important part in the development of our country's artistic community and I look forward to seeing it evolve and develop at this incredibly important time." Ahmad is renowned for his distinct and flexible style and his mastery of different media – from charcoal to calligraphy and oil painting earlier in his career. Katara visitors will have the opportunity to see artworks that have been exhibited around the world including the United States, Europe and the Middle East. (QNA)