Qatar Museums, in Collaboration with Yuz Museum, will Open the First Large-Scale Exhibition of Contemporary Art from Qatar to be Showcased in China
Watering the Desert | Contemporary Art from Qatar
a Travelling Exhibition of Contemporary Art from Qatar to China, will be on view from 8 November 2023 to 3 March 2024
Shanghai China / Doha, Qatar – 26 October 2023: In a formative exhibition that will take place at Yuz Museum Shanghai, Watering the Desert | Contemporary Art from Qatar will be the first large-scale exhibition of Qatari and Qatar-based contemporary artists to be presented in China. Curated by Qatar Museums’ Issa Al Shirawi and Maryam Hassan Al Thani, the exhibition is organized by Qatar Museums in collaboration with Yuz Museum, which will showcase the work of 37 multidisciplinary artists, designers, and filmmakers working within Qatar’s artistic scene. The exhibition is scheduled to be on view from 8 November 2023 to 3 March 2024.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, stated, “Watering the Desert is the result of a 6-year strategic partnership between Qatar Museums (QM), Yuz Museum (YUZ), and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Based on this partnership, the exhibition highlights the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and exchanges through art. We are proud to collaborate with Yuz Museum in Shanghai, a prominent Chinese institution and a long-time partner of Qatar Museums, in showcasing and amplifying distinct voices and artistic practices from Qatar. Through the diverse, multidisciplinary works of these exhibited artists, this exhibition presents our thriving and globally connected creative ecosystem which is nourished by our local roots and traditions.”
Justine Alexandria Tek, CEO and Director of Yuz Museum and Yuz Foundation, added, “We are proud to host our trusted partner, Qatar Museums, in China for an in-depth exhibition of contemporary Qatari art that sparks a dialogue among our diverse cultures and explores the intersections and influences throughout our history. This marks a significant step forward for Yuz Museum to embrace our late founder, Budi Tek’s vision of promoting exchanges with the world through significant art and culture. Through the long-term partnership between the three institutions, Yuz, QM, and LACMA, we aim to continue and strengthen this unique and precious bond through conversations and programs, highlighting our individual distinctions while uncovering our similarities in this new era of globalization.”
Watering the Desert | Contemporary Art from Qatar bridges the gap between Qatar’s traditional practices and modern transformative spirit. The exhibition showcases an impressive array of multidisciplinary projects that focus on four interconnected themes: vivid recollections of shared experiences, commentary on complex social dynamics regarding the concept of home, urban transformations, and the fusion of art and the natural environment. Combined, this culturally rich presentation captures the current artistic zeitgeist in Qatar.
“Travelling exhibitions are great opportunities to broaden perceptions, address misconceptions, and offer glimpses into the artistic experimentation that has been growing organically within and with Qatar. We are proud to serve as a global platform for Qatari artists to showcase their work, whether they are pioneering, mid-career, and emerging artists,” said Issa Al Shirawi, Head of International Exhibitions at Qatar Museums and the exhibition’s co-curator. Maryam Hassan Al Thani, co-curator of the exhibition, added, “We have approached this exhibition with fresh perspectives on recurring themes in contemporary Arab art. To work with Yuz Museum, who shares the same passion for contemporary art and providing platforms for emerging voices in the art world, has been an extremely meaningful process that we are excited to share with new audiences.”
Watering the Desert | Contemporary Art from Qatar involves a number of collaborations with other QM and partner organizations in Qatar, with notable contributions from Virginia Commonwealth University of Arts (VCUarts Qatar) and the Doha Film Institute (DFI). Several of the exhibited works were created by artists based in VCUarts Qatar creative research labs, and a number artists previously participated in the Fire Station: Artist in Residence program created and operated by Qatar Museums.
The exhibition’s artists are Sebastián Betancur-Montoya, Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani, Noora Al Hardan, Hadeer Omar, Michael Hersurd and Simone Muscolino, Sophia Al Maria, Mubarak Nasser Al Thani, Markus Elblaus, Maryam Al Homaid, Noor Abuissa, Salman Al Malik, Bouthayna Al Muftah, Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Aisha Al Sowaidi, Hana Al Saadi, Ghada Al Khater, Yousef Ahmad Al Homaid, Christto Andrew, Giovanni Inella, Hala Amer, Saga Elkabbash, Levi Hammett and George Paul, Anfal al Kandari, Alya Al Khalifa and Guillaume Rousere, Naila Al Thani, Amena Al Yousef, Saida Al Khulaifi, Water with Water (Nathan R Davis and Sarah Elawad), (IN)>Tangible Lab (Sara Al Naimi and Maha Al Marri with Research and Design by Latifa Al Ali, Alanood Al Thani and Natasha Fernandez and Film, Sound, Support, and Guidance from Astrid Kensinger, Mayssa Al-Mumin, Guillaume Rousere, Alaa Albarazy, Dr. Aspa Chatziefthimiou, Raviv Cohen, Shaima Sherif, David Mathew, Basma Hamdy and Nishi Rafols), Shaima Al Tamimi and Mariam Salim, Majid Al Remaihi, Amal Al Muftah, and Jassim Al Rumaihi.
Watering the Desert | Contemporary Art from Qatar exhibition is part of a wider partnership formed in 2019 between QM, YUZ, and LACMA. This collaboration was established with the goal of jointly developing and sharing exhibitions and cultural programmes across these prestigious institutions, effectively creating a multi-site exhibition programme with a truly global perspective. The exhibition embodies the spirit of international cooperation, bridging cultures, and advancing the appreciation of art on a truly global scale.
Moreover, Watering the Desert serves not only as a vibrant celebration of contemporary art from Qatar but also as a testament to the legacy of the Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture. This pivotal cultural milestone has laid a robust foundation for fostering cultural exchange and artistic collaboration between Qatar and China. This exhibition is representative of the international and cultural exchange that continues to flourish, bridging nations and fostering a global appreciation of art and culture.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation’s cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Future museums include Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, Qatar Auto Museum, Art Mill Museum, and the Lusail Museum.
Through its Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, and the hub for innovation, fashion, and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
About YUZ
Yuz Museum Shanghai, officially opened in May of 2014, is a contemporary art museum founded by Mr. Budi Tek, a Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector. Yuz Museum is committed to drawing the world’s attention to Shanghai, advancing the development of contemporary Chinese art, actively engaging in the field of art education, and promoting cultural dialogues between East and West. As a non-profit institution, the museum aims to serve as a leader in exhibiting contemporary Chinese art and to build a preeminent reputation for contemporary art in China.
Since its opening in 2014, Yuz Museum has been the home of many internationally acclaimed exhibitions such as the world’s largest Giacometti Retrospective, the “Rain Room”, the Asia premieres of Andy Warhol’s “Shadow”, KAWS’s first institutional exhibition in mainland China “Where the End Starts”, “Charlie Chaplin: A Vision”, “Yoshitomo Nara”, etc.
About Los Angeles County Museums of Art (LACMA)
Located on the Pacific Rim, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of more than 149,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe. Committed to showcasing a multitude of art histories, LACMA exhibits and interprets works of art from new and unexpected points of view that are informed by the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse population. LACMA’s spirit of experimentation is reflected in its work with artists, technologists, and thought leaders as well as in its regional, national, and global partnerships to share collections and programs, create pioneering initiatives, and engage new audiences.
About Fire Station: Artist in Residence
The Fire Station is a world-class artist residency programme for residents of Qatar designed to nurture, energize and promote the country’s artistic and creative community, as well as enrich the art scene in Qatar. Founded in 2015 and located in a fire station that was repurposed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, the nine-month programme for creatives across all disciplines enables young artists to cultivate their talent through production support, curatorial advice, and expert mentorships. During the residency, artists engage with professionals from all over the world who recognise Qatar as a growing centre of artistic talent and creativity. The Fire Station includes extensive studio spaces, a theatre, a café, and gallery spaces presenting inspiring local and international exhibitions. Over the past six years, the programme has welcomed 92 artists and expanded its duration to include a three-month stint at the prestigious Cite Internationale des Art in Paris and in New York City at Studio 209 NY, which is part of the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP).
The Fire Station campus also includes the popular restaurant Café #999, a bookshop, art supply shop, cinema and artist facilities. The Fire Station has also hosted world class exhibitions organized by Qatar Museums within its expansive Garage Gallery, including Picassos Studios (2020), KAWS: He Eats Alone (2019) curated by renown art historian Germano Celant, Kazimir Malevich: Genius of the Russian Avant-garde (2019), Russian Avant-garde Pioneers and Direct Descendants (2018), Laundromat by Ai Weiwei (2018), German Encounters – Contemporary Masterworks from the Deutsche Bank Collection (2017), and Picasso-Giacometti (2017). The Fire Station is headed by Director Khalifa Ahmad Al Obaidli, the renowned Qatari photographer.
About DFI
Doha Film Institute is an independent, not-for-profit cultural organisation. It supports the growth of the MENA film community through cultivating film appreciation, enhancing industry knowledge and contributing to the development of sustainable creative industries in Qatar and the region. The Institute’s platforms include funding and production of local, regional and international films; skills-sharing and mentorship programmes; film screenings; the Ajyal Film Festival; and Qumra. With culture, community, learning and entertainment at its foundation, the Institute is committed to supporting Qatar’s 2030 vision for the development of a knowledge-based economy.
About Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar
Established in 1998 through a partnership with Qatar Foundation, VCUarts Qatar is the international branch campus of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts, a top-ranked art and design school in Richmond, Virginia in the United States.
VCUarts Qatar is celebrating a fruitful 25-year alliance between VCU and Qatar Foundation that underscores the commitment of each institution to excellence, inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting.
VCUarts Qatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, interior design, and painting and printmaking, a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in design. A vibrant community with global reach, VCUarts promises to instill in students a lifelong passion for education and the arts.
VCUarts Qatar offers valuable opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and connects VCUarts to the influential art and design world of the Middle East and beyond. The campus attracts renowned contributors to contemporary visual culture for speaking and teaching engagements, and hosts two major international events: Tasmeem Doha, a biennial art and design conference; and the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium.
About YoC
Years of Culture is an international cultural exchange in Qatar that deepens understanding between nations and their people. Though the formal programming lasts only one year, the ties between partner nations are long-lasting and Years of Culture supports its partner countries through long-term collaborations. The Years of Culture exchange establishes lasting legacies unique to each country partner based on bespoke programs created during the year, potential for long-term cultural collaborations or residency initiatives, and support for the protection, preservation, and development of global cultural heritage.
The Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture spanned diplomatic, artistic, and academic exchanges. A spectacular Jiang’nan style show launched the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture at Katara. “What About the Art: Contemporary Art from China,” featuring works by 15 contemporary Chinese artists including Cai Guo-Qiang, headlined the Year of Culture exhibitions at QM Gallery Al Riwaq along with “Silks from the Silk Road – Chinese Art of Silk” at QM Gallery Katara. An annual Cultural Festival at MIA Park featured Chinese markets, a traditional teahouse, works from the Photography Journey exchange program, and Chinese cultural performances. In China, with the support of Yalla and Qatar Museums, two Qatari youths ran the Great Wall Marathon, one of the most spectacular marathon routes in the world, which led through historic sites such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. Following critical and popular success in Japan, UK, Brazil and Turkey, the “Pearls, Treasures from the Seas and the Rivers” travelled to the National Museum of China.
Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture partners included Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar; the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the People’s Republic of China; Qatar Tourism; KATARA; the Qatar Football Association; Qatar University; the Translation and Interpreting Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University; Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar; Doha Film Institute; the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China; the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the State of Qatar; Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture; the National Museum of China; the National Silk Museum of China; and the Chinese Cuisine Association.
