The Arab Museum of Modern Art, affectionately known as Mathaf, is set to open four groundbreaking exhibitions this month, shedding light on the rich tapestry of contemporary Arab art. Nestled away from the glitzy museums that have become synonymous with Qatar’s post-World Cup era, Mathaf, located in Doha, is on the cusp of unveiling exhibitions that underscore its pivotal role in the world of contemporary Arab art.
For Zeina Arida, the museum’s director, these four simultaneous exhibitions, running from October 27th to March 5th, represent a profound exploration of the past, present, and future of an often misunderstood chapter of Arab art. Mathaf, established in 2010 and overseen by Qatar Museums, has amassed a collection of over 9,000 artworks in its 59,000 square feet of space, housed in a former school building redesigned by French architect Jean-François Bodin.
“The connecting thread among these four shows is about Mathaf actively participating in the discourse surrounding modern Arab art and how it can pave the way for the future,” Ms. Arida explained in a recent video interview. “We are transforming the Mathaf experience, and it will continue to evolve in the coming years. It’s crucial that we serve as a platform that is both local and international.”
This blend of global and local perspectives is evident in the four exhibitions, which share themes and histories:
‘Mehdi Moutashar: Introspection as Resistance’
This exhibition showcases the work of 80-year-old Iraqi artist Mehdi Moutashar, marking his first solo museum show in the Arab world since the 1970s. The exhibition, curated by Amin Alsaden, highlights Mr. Moutashar’s unique fusion of classical training and a fascination with Arab and Muslim history with modern art. His diverse works include wood, paint, elastic wire, thread, and painted steel, offering insights into the interconnectedness of Arab art history with contemporary global art.
‘Distilled Lessons: Abstraction in Arab Modernism’
Also curated by Mr. Alsaden, this exhibition features over 60 artists and draws from Mathaf’s permanent collection. It delves into the fusion of Arab heritage with modernism, showcasing how abstraction evolved differently in the Arab world. Arab artists, unlike their Western counterparts, grew up with abstraction as a natural part of their artistic vocabulary. The exhibition explores their unique contributions to the art world.
‘De/Constructed Meanings’
This installation challenges notions of language, history, and interpretation. A metal ball, controlled by a magnet underneath, moves across a canvas of sand, writing coded sentences inspired by philosopher Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction theory. The machine highlights the ever-evolving nature of meaning and history, emphasizing the complexity of reading histories beyond binary classifications.
‘Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project’
This project, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, brought together Middle Eastern artists who created or wrote about their experiences during this challenging time. Artist books were mailed to fellow artists in 20 countries, each expressing their feelings of fear, uncertainty, and loss. The exhibition at Mathaf marks the first display of all 59 books together, showcasing a profound exploration of art, friendship, and connection during a critical period in history.
These exhibitions, unveiled at Mathaf, transcend geographical boundaries to foster a global understanding of contemporary Arab art while celebrating the rich tapestry of Arab artistic expression.
