ARTWEEK: Contemporary Art from Qatar Launched at VCUarts Qatar
VCUarts Qatar hosted the launch of “Contemporary Art from Qatar: The Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani Collection” (published by Skira Arte, 2026) on February 1, 2026, on its campus. The event served as preview to the inaugural Art Basel Qatar, at the Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
The publication marks a significant milestone in Qatar’s cultural history, celebrating three decades of visionary collecting by Qatari educator and collector, Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani. Through a carefully curated selection of works and critical essays, the book traces the evolution of Qatari art, from heritage-rooted practices and traditional motifs to contemporary practices that engage confidently with global artistic discourse, offering a compelling narrative of the nation’s artistic growth and transformation.
“I am deeply honoured to join His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla in conversation at the launch of this landmark publication,” said Amir Berbic, Dean of VCUarts Qatar. “The book, together with the exhibition Pulse of Place, reflects three decades of collecting that have played a defining role in shaping Qatar’s cultural voice. It is especially meaningful to see the work of VCUarts Qatar alumni featured so prominently, underscoring the vital role of education in sustaining a dynamic creative ecosystem.”
H.E. Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani expressed his appreciation for hosting the launch at the university. “Educational institutions are close to my heart, and VCUarts Qatar has played an important role over nearly three decades in shaping many aspects of Qatar’s creative scene. I am grateful for this initiative and look forward to sharing this occasion with the artists, students, and faculty who have contributed so significantly to our cultural landscape.”
ARTWEEK 2026 Celebrated
The book launch took place within the wider framework of VCUarts Qatar’s Art Festival and coincides with the second edition of ARTWEEK 2026: Community as Practice, hosted by the university’s Painting and Printmaking (PAPR) Department. Rooted in collaboration, care, and openness, ARTWEEK brings together students, artists, educators, and cultural practitioners to explore how communities are formed through artistic practice, and how learning unfolds within and beyond the studio.
Spanning three days, ARTWEEK 2026 featured workshops, lecture-performances, panel discussions, open studios, and informal gatherings. Emphasising the studio as both a site of making and exchange, the programme shared experience, dialogue, and collective rhythms of working together as central to contemporary art education. Building on long-standing collaborations between VCUarts Qatar and VCUarts Richmond, and conversations initiated through Living to Learn: Art & Education for the Common Good, ARTWEEK positioned Qatar as a key site for rethinking the future of art education, pedagogy, and community-driven practice, with particular attention to regional networks and alternative spaces emerging from the Gulf.
The programme featured an international roster of speakers and guest artists, including Sara Niroobakhsh, Mohammed Somji, Keng Sen Ong, Rose Lejeune, Habeeb Abu Futtaim, Naiza Khan, Sarah Rifkey, Walid Sadek, Aissa Deebi, Zeina Al Arida, Rola Khayyat, Noah Simblist, alongside Dean Amir Berbić.
The launch also coincided with the opening of the exhibition نبض المكان | Pulse of Place: Selected Works from the Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani collection on view at The Gallery at VCUarts Qatar from January 25 to March 7, 2026. The exhibition features works by 11 Qatari artists and designers, all alumni of VCUarts Qatar and contributors to the publication, highlighting the enduring impact of education, mentorship, and patronage in shaping contemporary artistic practice in Qatar.
“With ‘Pulse of Place’, we translate the narratives of the book into a spatial and experiential form,” said Chase Westfall, Head of Gallery at VCUarts Qatar. “The exhibition reflects how place, memory, and cultural identity continue to inform contemporary art in Qatar, while reaffirming the university’s role in nurturing creative voices that resonate locally and internationally.”
