Seventeen Qatar-based artists will breathe life into designated walls across the city as part of Qatar Museums’ public art initiative, Jedariart. The initiative, which kicks off today across the city, will span over month-long period as part of the museum’s ongoing campaign to activate shared urban areas in Doha and add meaning to the city’s walls through carefully curated murals and street art.
Eng. Mohamed Arqoub Al Khaldi, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar stated that Jedariart, held in partnership with The Supreme Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places, QRail, Woqod, and the Fire Station, will support artists to make their individual artistic mark at several locations including Al-Abraj Park, Al-Asmakh area, Doha Festival City Interchange, Alkhor Interchange, Post Office Park, 5/6 Park, 5/6 Flyover, Qatar National Library Metro Station and the Woqod Petrol Station in Fereej Kulaib. The designated locations will provide a tangible sense of space for the community, and by serving as a new touristic attraction, increase foot traffic through neighborhoods.
Architect. Abdulrahman Al Ishaq, Acting Director of Public Art Department at Qatar Museums said: “With the launch of Jedariart, Qatar Museums is excited to see designated walls across the city come to life with striking murals that represent Qatar and its trajectory. Public art plays a vital role in sparking debate on topical issues and inspiring creativity in shared urban spaces that are to be enjoyed by us all. Members of the community are invited to visit the dedicated locations to engage with the artists and their pieces that are contributing to our thriving cultural landscape.”
In selecting creatives for the initiative, Qatar Museums launched an Open Call inviting aspiring and established artists in Doha to submit a proposal detailing their concept for a mural that takes into consideration the piece’s relevance to the community and the message they would like to convey through their work. Selected artists have received a monetary amount to complete their mural within 10 days.
Participating artists include Mubarak Al Malik, Huda Basahal, Noura Al Mansoori, Dimitrije Bugarski, Nada Khozestani, Sharefa Al Mannai, Thamer Al Dossari, Muna Al Bader, Fatima Al Sharshani, Michael Perrone, Maryam Al Maadhadi, Shuaa Al Kuwari, Abdulaziz Yousef, Abdulla Al Emadi, Alanoud Al Ghamdi, Haifa Al Khuzaei and Aisha Al Fadhala.
Members of the community visiting the designated locations are invited to use #OurPublicArt when tagging their pictures of the murals on social media.
For more information about Qatar Museums and its public art initiatives, please visit:
https://www.qm.org.qa/en/area/public-art
About The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar
The committee’s projects are aimed at creating a sustainable environment through implementing several main tasks including construction of central public parks, provision of dedicated pedestrian and cycling tracks, provision of retiring areas with street furniture, fancy street lighting, developing Doha Corniche and some beaches, development of Doha Central area by reviving some main roads and internal streets, vital places, residential areas and open plazas. The committee also aims to contribute in creating a societal environment with distinctive identity through involvement of community members in artworks and tree plantation works, in coordination with several ministries and government entities of the State.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums connects the museums, cultural institutions and heritage sites in Qatar and creates the conditions for them to thrive and flourish. It centralizes resources and provides a comprehensive organization for the development of museums and cultural projects, with a long-term ambition of creating a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure for Qatar. 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 is consolidating Qatar’s efforts to become a vibrant center for the arts, culture and education, in the Middle East and beyond.
Since its foundation in 2005, QM has overseen the development of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Fire Station: Artists in Residence, The National Museum of Qatar and the Al Zubarah World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, among other projects. Future projects include the launch of the highly anticipated 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and the Qatar Children’s Museum.
QM is committed to instigating Qatar’s future generation of arts, heritage and museum professionals. At its core is a commitment to nurturing artistic talent, creating opportunities and developing the skills to service Qatar’s emerging art economy. By means of a multi-faceted program and public art initiatives, QM seeks to push the boundaries of the traditional museum model, and create cultural experiences that spill out onto the streets and seek to involve a wide audience. Through a strong emphasis on originating art and culture from within and fostering a spirit of national participation, QM is helping Qatar find its own distinctive voice in today’s global cultural debates.