Qatar Museums (QM) Fire Station: Artist in Residence, an initiative designed to grow the next generation of artistic talent in Qatar, has announced that a fifth Qatari artist will be joining its renowned Paris Art Residency Programme.
Ahmed al-Jufairi, an artist known for pushing the boundaries of self-expression, will be joining the programme in Studio Qatar at the Cite Internationale des Art. The programme is set to offer him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand his artistic horizons in one of the world’s most prestigious residencies.
A graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) with a major in painting and printmaking, Ahmed focuses on the beauty of imperfection, sending out an important message to the audience, and explaining that “beauty” and “perfection” are relative terms. Fascinated by what makes us unique, Ahmed has also been known to tackle the subject of social acceptance, arguing that uniqueness and individuality are keys to beautiful innovations.
Held under the patronage of QM’s chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Paris Art Residency programme is an extension of QM’s Fire Station: Artist in Residence Programme held in Doha, Qatar.
As part of the comprehensive programme, the Fire Station supports one talented artist each year with studio and accommodation at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris for three months, as well as a monthly stipend for their stay and purchase of art materials. Additionally, participants are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone through engaging in interactive workshops as well as meeting some of the most talented artists in the world. The programme is open to all Qatari artists aged 18 and older, covering all art forms.
Previously, the programme welcomed four Qatari artists including: Ebtisam al-Saffar, Nasser al-Attiya, Abdullah al-Kuwari and Ghada al-Khater. Just recently, Ghada hosted an open studio at the Cite Internationale des Arts, allowing members of the public to meet her and have open discussions about art and culture.
“Ahmed has always been a proponent of autonomy and enlightenment,” said Khalifa al-Obaildy, director, Fire Station. “His artwork combines the best of the East and West, delivering a unique interpretation of the beauty of co-existence. We wish him the best of luck on this journey and are looking forward to seeing how his artwork will evolve after this experience.”
The Paris Residency Programme demonstrates a clear commitment by QM to nurture emerging talent and builds on a longer tradition of patronage of the arts, and a passion for supporting the development of
artistic talent in Qatar.
An artwork by Ahmed al-Jufairi.
