Qatar presented for the first time at the world’s largest forum for contemporary art, the 59th Venice Biennale
Speaking of this year’s goals, 2022 is not only the year of the World Cup for Qatar, but also the entry into the main arena of contemporary art.
The first to introduce Qatar was an artist, photographer, collector and patron of our time – a representative of the royal family of Qatar – Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed AlThani (b. 1962)
LOOKING AHEAD
According to the author’s idea, “Photography has the ability to show the viewer the various states of peace and anxiety experienced by Qataris and citizens of the Persian Gulf countries. In the contemplation of boats or camel caravans approaching from afar, there is an anxiety of the unknown, which means danger.
The dual nature of life is expressed in monochrome shots with bright red accents on traditional Qatari headdresses, symbolizing the energy of thought and life.”
The sands of time unite the past with the present and the future, bringing with them new discoveries and successes.
The beginning of a new era for Qatar with the participation of the works of Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani in BIENNALE ARTE 2022 is symbolic.
Being the brother of the world-famous art collector Sheikh Saud Bin Mohammed Al Thani (1966-2014), the two brothers each made a significant contribution to the history and development of art in Qatar as well as beyond its borders. The Sheikh’s interests are broad, including his love of wildlife, art history, the creation and development of museums, and academic research.
Sheikh Hassan has been at the forefront of collecting contemporary art in Qatar since the 1970s was one of the first to contribute to the State Collection of the Qatar Museums.
As a student of Yousef Ahmad and inspired by his passion, Sheikh Hassan began to appreciate Arabic art and soon became an active participant in the development of the local art scene. His curiosity and interest in regional art was born during his student days, discovering that information about Arabic contemporary art was virtually non-existent.
Dedicated to this art and its artists, Sheikh Hassan “acted as a scholar, educator, patron, friend, agent of change. He turned a private villa in Doha into an art studio and allowed artists to use the space.
Years later, in Germany, Sheikh Hassan completed his PhD in the history of Qatar, as well as in the History of Egyptian Art,” says curator Mohammed Hammam Fekry.
