Artist Inspiration Programme

Qatari artists Wafika Sultan Al-Essa and Hassan Al-Mulla are the first artists to participate in this year’s Ruwad Artist in Residence programme by the Fire Station Museum, an initiative to support pioneering Qatari and resident artists.

Ruwad is a continuation of the residency programme that supported Qatari artist Faraj Daham from 2017 to 2020. The initiative aims to facilitate communication between local artists in Qatar who are then able to share their expertise and experiences, provide guidance and constructive feedback, and communicate with the wider community through public programmes such as lectures and art workshops, according to Qatar Museums. Two artists from the Qatari community, Wafika Sultan Al-Essa and Hassan Al-Mulla have been handpicked for this Residence programme by the Fire Station Museum.

Commenting on her participation artist Wafika Sultan Al-Essa said, “I am delighted to be nominated for the Ruwad Artist in Residence programme at the Fire Station. The dedicated studio space will enable me to focus on completing my artworks and artistic projects during my stay. As part of the programme, I look forward to engaging with artists from various fields as well as members of the community who are passionate about art. This opportunity inspires me to pursue new artistic projects and explore the field of plastic art”.

Al-Essa is a Qatari visual artist and one of the pioneers of art in Qatar. Her work has been exhibited internationally in Kuwait, London, Paris, and Tunisia, and locally at Qatar Museums’ Al-Riwaq Gallery at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Al-Markhiya Gallery, and Al Hosh Gallery, among others.

 

 

Artist Hassan Al-Mulla said, “I am pleased and proud of being chosen as an experienced Qatari plastic artist to participate in the Artist in Residence Ruwad programme at the Fire Station. This stay will provide me with the support to make progress in advancing my artistic passion while promoting Qatari artists in the local and international scenes.”

Al-Mulla is also a pioneer in the plastic art movement in Qatar.  He has held several personal exhibitions in Qatar, India, and Saudi Arabia. His artworks can be seen in a number of Qatar’s ministries and embassies, as well as at Qatar Museums and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

According to Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director, Fire Station, the participants of the programme will receive support to nurture their artistic talents and in turn support Qatar Museums’ efforts to enrich the cultural and artistic landscape in Qatar.