Tariq Al Jaidah and the Art of Collecting

DEEN: The Art of Faith is an ongoing exhibition at Al Hosh Gallery during the sacred month of Ramadan. The exhibition explores Islamic spirituality and ritual through visual arts, featuring historical and contemporary works by renowned artists. It also includes pieces from two prominent collectors in Qatar, Tariq Al Jaidah and Mohammed Al-Emadi. We spoke with Tariq Al Jaidah, who has been collecting for more than three decades and has an impressive collection of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art under the TAJ Collection.

Qatar’s art scene is gradually unfolding. While institutional support has been strong, with Qatar Museums bringing international artists to the country and sparking public interest in arts and culture, the presence of art galleries — which typically provide local artists with exposure and market recognition— has been limited. Over the last decade, however, a few local galleries have emerged, and Qatari art enthusiasts are increasingly investing time and effort in cataloging their collections, shaping them with a clear perspective and direction.

Recognising this gap in local galleries, Qatari businessman and collector Tariq Al Jaidah took the initiative to create a platform supporting emerging local and regional artists. An avid collector focusing primarily on modern and contemporary art from the Arab region and Iran, Tariq had a vision to cultivate and drive a thriving art scene in Doha. He founded the first commercial art gallery in Qatar, the Waqif Art Centre in 2007 and organised a number of significant shows presenting local and regional artists and collaborated with other galleries such as the Dubai-based Third Line.

In 2011, the center relocated to Katara, a Qatar heritage village, and was re-branded as the Katara Art Center (KAC). The KAC continues to maintain an active exhibitionary programme presenting local and regional artists. In addition to exhibitions, the center is well-known for fostering collaborations with other entities including the Sotheby’s. In 2019, Tariq established Eiwan Al Gassar Gallery in partnership with Al Fardan Group. Inhabiting a generous gallery space of over 1000 sqm, Eiwan Al Gassar is known for its ambitious and conceptual exhibitions.

Tariq’s design initiative Studio 7 came into being in 2021. Established in collaboration with Qatar Museums, the design concept store focuses on empowering local and regional designers, bridging the gap between makers and local artisans.

Wusum Gallery, founded together with Wadha Al-Aqeedi in 2023, is Al Jaidah’s latest venture. Presenting the works of early, mid-career, and established artists, the gallery is the first art space in Qatar to permanently represent local artists. Through these initiative, Tariq aims to inspire young artists and collectors, strengthening Qatar’s evolving art ecosystem.

The Deen exhibition is the result of a joint effort by two galleries and two collectors in the country and also touches on the strong stride that galleries here are taking towards encouraging local and regional artists. According to curator Dr. Jochen Sokoly, the Deen exhibition is a collaboration between Al Hosh Gallery and the Tariq Al Jaidah Collection. “We came together to organise this exhibition because we wanted to create an experience during Ramadan that engages audiences in Qatar in an immersive and meaningful way.”

“With this in mind, we selected a theme that resonates with Muslim lives and assembled a diverse range of works, including calligraphy as an artistic expression of faith. We also included photography, such as works by the late artist Arwa Abu-Un, who explored the meaning of being Muslim. Another key part of the exhibition focuses on the holy sites in Mecca, particularly the Kaaba in the Haram al-Sharif. This section was significantly enhanced by rare loans from the Mohammed Al-Emadi Collection, which includes pieces of the Kiswah (the Kaaba’s cloth covering), a surround of the Black Stone, and a drainage pipe gifted to the Kaaba by the Ottoman Sultan Abdul-Majid,” explains Dr Jochen.

It is these synergies and collaborations that help in fostering a strong art community in the country.

We sat down with Tariq Al Jaidah to explore his journey as a collector and his insights on Qatar’s art scene. He says that as a collector it is the story behind each artwork and the connections with the artist that attracts him to the art piece.

SCALE: Can you share your journey into art collecting? What sparked your passion for art?

Tariq: I began collecting in the early 1990s after being exposed to local and regional artists. Initially, I didn’t consider myself a collector. But as I acquired more pieces, my passion deepened, and I came to recognize myself as one. This realization led me to define my collection’s focus: modern and contemporary Middle Eastern artists. Today, I continue to refine my collection, placing greater emphasis on contemporary works.

SCALE: How has your perspective on art evolved over the years?

Tariq: Being a collector is an ever-evolving journey. Collecting isn’t static; it constantly shifts and grows. As you mature, you begin to see your collection as a cohesive entity rather than a series of individual pieces. Each new acquisition must connect to the overall collection while maintaining its own significance. Over time, I’ve also found it increasingly valuable to engage with artists and understand the stories behind their works.

SCALE: How has your perspective on art evolved over the years as a collector? 

Tariq: Firstly, being a collector is an ever-evolving journey. Collecting isn’t static; it constantly evolves and changes. As you mature as a collector you think more about the collection as an entity. It’s not just about singular pieces anymore but the dialogue between the different parts together. Having said that, there obviously needs to be a connection to every new acquisition, but the collection also needs to make sense as a whole in my view. At the same time, I find it increasingly important and valuable to interact and understand the artists and their works in my collection.

SCALE: Do you have a specific focus on Qatari or regional artists? 

Tariq: The collection focuses on Middle Eastern artists in the contemporary and modern eras. As such, I am committed to contributing to our region’s cultural heritage including both our local scene here in Doha but also in the wider region.

SCALE: How do you go about discovering new artists? What makes a piece stand out for you? 

Tariq: I try to be an active participant and attend as many exhibitions as I possibly can. In addition to shows it’s good to do studio visits and go to art fairs too. I also encounter interesting artists and artworks on social media.

SCALE: Is there a particular piece in your collection that holds special significance? 

Tariq: I think it depends how do we understand the term ‘significant’. In my collection there are some art historically rather relevant and important works, for example artworks from Dia Azzawi, Shakir Hassan Al Said, and Mahmoud Hammad, and then there are those works that in our current moment are able to contribute or capture what’s going on. Additionally, and to me equally importantly, there are also the works that hold personal importance, detached from their art historical or monetary value. Again, this comes down to significance: we can’t attribute value to personal collections in a similar manner to the public ones which often aim to being encompassing or even authoritative in what they are trying to represent and embody.

SCALE: In the evolving Qatari art scene, what role do collectors play in shaping it? 

Tariq: Collectors play an important role in nurturing emerging artists, supporting the established ones, and in fostering a sustainable art ecosystem. We all share the same goal of advancing the local scene.

SCALE: In addition to being a collector, you also engage in the art scene through entrepreneurial endeavours such as Katara Art Center, Studio 7, and Wusum Gallery. How do you hope to contribute to Qatar’s art scene and engage with the local and regional community?

Tariq: I take great pride in supporting local and regional artists and designers through these initiatives. I think they all contribute towards the bigger goal of enabling the artists and providing them with opportunities but also catering the needs of collectors and sparking interest for an emerging generation of collectors. In any art scene private initiatives play an important role, whether it is to discover ‘new’ artists or to support their careers.

SCALE: What do you see as the role of private galleries like Wusum in supporting and shaping the contemporary art scene in Qatar? How do you think commercial galleries and public institutions (like Mathaf and the National Museum of Qatar) can complement each other? 

Tariq: We are all working together to contribute to the shared goal of nurturing the local scene and ensuring that local artists are also part of the regional and international scenes. In any healthy and well-functioning art eco system there are public and private players—we have different roles and various ways of working—but again, all working towards the same goal. Think of it as a puzzle where we are different pieces but complimentary to one another. To illustrate this, a commercial gallery organises a show for an artist and a museum acquires a work from there. Or a public institution holds a residency and a commercial gallery encourages their artist to apply—cooperation and working together are the key. The coexistence between all these entities is vital.

SCALE: What challenges do galleries in Qatar face, and how can they be better supported? 

Tariq: I think right now all of us in the commercial sphere are focusing on nurturing the emerging generation of collectors. This is a two-way conversation that includes education, exchange, and being genuinely interested in our local artists and their work.

SCALE: With Qatar’s increasing investment in art and culture, what do you think the future holds for galleries and private collectors in the region? 

Tariq: In the future we will see more collectors stemming from Qatar. I look forward seeing their visions come to light. For the commercial sector I hope to see our local artists part of the regional and international spheres with participation in fairs and biennials.

All Images Courtesy Al Hosh Gallery, taken during the opening night of Deen.