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Sara Al Buinain is a Qatari artist who has graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - Scale Architectural and Design Magazine

“Art Galleries to Encourage Local Talent is the Need of the Hour”

Al Markhiya Gallery in Qatar presents The Quarantine Diaries, works of art by Sara Al-Buainain as an online exclusive exhibition that will run till July 17. SCALE talks to this upcoming artist about her journey in art in Qatar.

Sara Al Buinain is a Qatari artist who has graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and this exhibition, The Quarantine Diaries, on show at the Al Markhiya Gallery is a loose documentation of the artist’s journey, along with family, friends and colleagues through the challenging times of isolation.

Sara Al Buinain is a Qatari artist who has graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - Scale Architectural and Design MagazineThe images illustrate how she and her subjects are navigating and reflecting on necessary new habits and behaviours, dictated by this global pandemic. Using digital illustration techniques, Sara employs bright colour contrasts with a contemporary style to lighten up an otherwise very complex and difficult situation.

Sara showcases her work predominately through social media platforms (e.g. Instagram, behance, etc.) because she considers the versatility of social media to be a vital tool to the development of her artistic practice.

Scale talks to this artist about her artistic endeavor and the challenges she faces as an artist being in a country that is flooded with museums and art installations.

SCALE: How is it being an artist in Qatar? Is it a challenge or is it much easier to get work with so many museums open in the country that talks about art and culture?

Being an upcoming artist in Qatar is a challenge in some ways because you have to put yourself out there and look for opportunities for exposure. The museums do not really work with upcoming artists itis mostly the independent galleries that do work with upcoming artist as AlMarkhiya Gallery, Katara Art Center, Alhosh Gallery and Katara Cultural Village.

Sara Al Buinain is a Qatari artist who has graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - Scale Architectural and Design MagazineSCALE: Tell us about this new exhibition of yours? What does it tell us about the Quarantine times?

The Quarantine Diaries is an exhibition I have been working on since the start of the pandemic it had really helped me cope with the whole thing altogether. I started taking notes of my daily encounters with the pandemic and the changes that have occurred to myself and the people surrounding me. As you can see throughout the exhibition a documentation of the pandemic through my eyes as an artist.

SCALE: What more would you like to change in the art world in Qatar?

A change I hope to see in Qatar’s art scene in the future is a variety of local art venues that approach upcoming and emerging artists and opportunities being given or provided to young Qatari artists.

Sara Al Buinain is a Qatari artist who has graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - Scale Architectural and Design MagazineSCALE: Tell us about your journey as an artist and what have you planned in the near future?

My journey as an artist started at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar where I have studied painting and printmaking and earned my Bachelors of Fine Arts. I developed an interest in Digital Art later on in my artistic journey. Taking the leap from painting to digital art was quite a challenge but I figured out that it was the best medium that translated my thought process into artworks. In the near future I plan to exhibit my artworks more internationally.

SCALE: Do you think we need many more art galleries to encourage local and artists from the region?

A variety of art galleries is extremely important to enhance the local art scene as it provides more opportunities for artists and a platform for artists to showcase.