Wusum Gallery Glows with Fields by Tarek Darwish

Fields, currently on display at Wusum Gallery, presents the first and largest survey of Tarek Darwish’s work since 1992. SCALE speaks with the artist to understand the creative energy behind this expansive and spectacular body of work. By Sindhu Nair

The exhibition, ongoing at Wusum Art Gallery until 28 February 2025, differs from the many solo exhibitions the gallery has previously hosted. For one, Fields by Qatari artist Tarek Darwish showcases the largest body of work by a single artist, featuring pieces that have never before been exposed to the art world. But that is not the only reason it stands out. This exhibition exudes an intense exhilaration — a breaking of bonds that can be sensed within the collection. The works take us on a journey through diverse landscapes of beauty, where forms and shapes express a sense of freedom—crafted without restraint, yet presented with careful order and mindfulness.

To understand the structure behind the freedom portrayed, one must delve into the artist’s background—his education, his extensive journey in art, and his approach to the medium, which he views solely as a form of personal commitment, free from societal or commercial constraints.

Art as Work

Why has Tarek taken his time before presenting his work to the public?

“My work is not dictated by external pressures or the demands of the market,” he explains. For him, art is not just an expressive act but a deliberate process—one that begins with an idea and unfolds through extensive research and refinement.

He raises a fundamental question: “Should one release work that doesn’t hold meaning or add value to the viewer?”

“I am trying to create a model of “value” for myself so that I can continue with a clear heart. I want to contribute good art which like a good book can expand on our sensibilities and provide insights that liberate or heal,” he says.

This perspective shapes his approach to creation. He views artistic output as a responsibility—whether through words or visual expression—emphasising that if a work does not contribute meaningfully, it is best left unshared.

Years of exploration and refinement, which he describes as an ongoing process of learning, have led to his current exhibition at Wusum Gallery.

“Art is dedicated work,” he reflects, “a combination of personal expression, research, and pushing creative boundaries rather than simply producing for commercial gain.”

That said, he acknowledges the role of art as a livelihood. “I would love to sell my work and sustain myself through it. But I won’t create simply for the sake of selling,” he clarifies.

This commitment to authenticity is evident in the works on display. The focus remains on artistic integrity rather than market trends. “One of the hardest things is staying true to oneself. Catering to market expectations, to me, is a compromise.”

For Tarek, art does not take precedence over responsibilities to family, community, or personal obligations. It is a practice that unfolds when the circumstances are right—when the mind is at peace. The works at Wusum Gallery emerge from this state of clarity, reflecting a deliberate and thoughtful creative journey.

“As a writer researches and refines their work, or as a scientist pursues knowledge without immediate commercial intent, art follows a similar path,” he observes.

A Strong Foundation

Tarek first connected with art during his years in boarding school, where it became a source of comfort in an unfamiliar environment.

“Being away from home was unsettling. Separated from my country and community, I often felt out of place. But art class felt different—open, welcoming, and a space of acceptance,” he reflects.

In a world shaped by uncertainty, creative expression offered a sense of stability. He describes art—and all forms of human creativity, from music to writing—as a space free of judgment, one that provides solace.

His artistic foundation was shaped in England, where established art schools flourished in the ’70s and ’80s. But returning home to Qatar, he found a stark contrast. “Abstract art was unfamiliar here,” he explains. The very medium that had provided comfort was not widely understood as the country was yet in the nascent stage of art education.

Tarek chose to step back from the public sphere, focusing instead on refining his work. Over the years, he continued developing his artistic voice, waiting for the right moment—when the cultural landscape would be open to his vision, a vision that he continued perfecting.

Now, that moment has arrived. The works displayed at Wusum Gallery embody this long-awaited creative release, shaped by patience, introspection, and an unwavering commitment to artistic expression.

 Landscapes of Beauty

Tarek’s works explore a vast spectrum of visual language, each composition shaped by its own rhythm and structure.

“Some are colourful, some are monochrome. Some follow grids, others embrace movement. Some depict forests in their raw beauty,” he explains about his work.

Forests serve as the starting point for this exhibition. To Tarek, they represent nature in its purest, most unfiltered form. His pencil drawings range from soft and playful to intense and dynamic, built through meticulous strokes and dense scribbles.

The Letters series, consisting of 35 drawings created between March 2018 and October 2019, takes the form of an artistic correspondence between the artist and the viewer.

“Juxtaposing points, spirals, lines, smudges, and traces of erasure against the grids in the background, Tarek plays with the concept of structure,” explains Elina Siranen, curator and director of Wusum Gallery.

The Score is inspired by musical notation, embrace a more abstract visual language than Forests or Letters, while musical elements also surface in Field—a series that ranges from towering four-meter panels to smaller, intimate prints. According to the curator, these are the most playful works in the collection.

The final series, Grids, makes Tarek’s exploration of form most tangible. Spanning both controlled, vibrant compositions and intricate, spontaneous gestures, these works balance structure with lyrical movement.

The exhibition at Wusum Gallery offers a window into the artist’s evolving practice—one shaped by intent, discipline, and a deep engagement with artistic expression. Within each composition, there is a dialogue between order and spontaneity, restraint and release, structure and rhythm—an invitation for the viewer to step into his world and find their own meaning within it.

Photographs: Courtesy Wusum Gallery