The View of “A House Overlooking the World”
Soon after the summer holidays and marking the beginning of the winter season in Doha, the Fire Station Museum opened its door to the Artist in Residence (AIR) Exhibition. In its 8th edition of the AIR exhibition, the vibrant multi-cultural artist community comes together to explore their boundaries or the lack of it while creating art works that deconstructs the theme given, “A House Overlooking the World”.
This year, the Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme opened “A House Overlooking the World” exhibition as part of their 8th edition. The exhibition features the work of 17 artists who were part of the residency programme at Fire Station from 2023 to 2024. The exhibition will be on view until 31 December 2024.
The theme this year is one that the community, especially the expat community in Doha, could identify with, where the home is seen as a temporary realm, and to understand how each one of the 17 artists interpreted it in their unique perspective was what made the exhibition prolific.
Ann Mc Nally’s Veiled Remnants touches on life’s impermanent moments before they wither away.
“A House Overlooking the World” is a metaphor reflecting the need to find a sense of self in a fast-changing world and it delves into the idea of a home within the contemporary realm. It also raises questions about identity and belonging through the eyes of the artists.
Hanna Fakhri’s Treasured Reflections tocuhes on memories of summer holidays and simple pleasures.
From a peek into the world of Qatari multidisciplinary designer with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from VCUarts Qatar, Hannah Fakhri’s childhood memories spent between Qatar and the UK to graphic designer and another VCUarts alumni Zainab AlShibani’s memories of theatre experiences in her childhood, to Ukrainian artist Oleksandra Umanska’s work that is based on narrative and fiction-critical approaches where she joined hands with Qatari artist Abdulla Al Sallat to create rather evocative illustrations of dilapidated neighbourhoods and homes in Ukraine, each artist brough their unique perspective to the theme of a “House” in a contemporary setting.
Zainab Al Shibani’s Bodiless Living in a Bodyful World.
Through exploring themes that intersect with urban identity and what defines it, the exhibition offers an inward look at the people who are the setting stone to any society and therefore to any land.
Abdulla Al Sallat and Oleksandra Umanska’s Reverie Ruins.
Throughout the exhibition, the artists shared rich and diverse narratives and emotions through three main themes: environmental, social, and cultural explorations. The Artist in Residence exhibition aims to highlight the link to a person’s relationship with their environment, between space and its elements, and between the elements.
MOTOelastico’s moving public art.
Most interesting was the MOTOElastico’s Monument in Public Space where Marco Bruno and Simone Carena, architects born and educated in Italy, rooted in South Korea since 2001 and currently full-time faculty at VCUarts Qatar, takes their art pieces to the public in unexpected places questioning the convention that public artworks should be static.
Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director of Fire Station, expressed, “We are proud of the amazing work that our artists have produced. The introspective nature of the exhibition required a skilful display of artistic representation which is not easy. It was masterfully done by the artists and I would like to congratulate them on their hard work. We look forward to seeing their growth and development in the future and the impact they make in the artistic community and beyond.”
“A House Overlooking the World” showcases artworks emanating from the artists’ constant search either within themselves or of the environment and society around them. Participating artists are Somaia Dorzadeh (Iran), Hannah Fakhri (Qatar), Abdulla AlSallat (Qatar), Oleksandra Umanska (Ukraine), Charlotte Rodenberg (United States), Shuaa Al Kuwari (Qatar), Noora Al-Hardan (Qatar), Marco Bruno (Italy), Simone Carena (Italy), Aljaze AlNaimi (Qatar), Zainab AlShibani (Qatar), Aisha Al-Abdulla (Qatar), Mohammed AlEmadi (Qatar), Alkhuzama Alharami (Qatar), Ann Mc Nally (Ireland), Alanoud Alghamdi (Saudi Arabia), and Maryam AlTajer (Bahrain).
Saida Al Khulaifi, Head of Programs and Exhibitions of Fire Station.
Saida Al Khulaifi, Head of Programs and Exhibitions of Fire Station, added, “The eighth edition of Artists in Residence has been a massive success and the quality of the exhibition is a testament to the artists’ talents. We hope to continue supporting local artists and nurture talent to help them actualise their potential.”
The programme has achieved remarkable success, according to Qatar Museums, extending its influence to include a three-month residency at the esteemed Cite Internationale des Art in Paris and Studio 209 NY, a part of the renowned International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York City.
