How QF is contributing to country's emerging art scene

Qatar’s creative landscape is thriving. From acquiring public artworks to hosting exhibitions by prominent artists, the country remains committed in cultivating its local artistic talents.In collaboration with Al Jazeera Media Network, Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Arabic documentary *Through the Archways of Art will premiere on June 20 at 8pm on Al Jazeera Documentary, and highlights Qatar's emerging art scene and the role that the QF plays in fostering the country’s commitment to the arts.The short film pays tribute to the QF’s collection, which is home to a number of exceptional art pieces found inside and outside the buildings in Education City, including late Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain’s *Seeroo fi al ardh.Speakers from a number of QF entities and local stakeholders discuss various topics in the 24-minute documentary, including on the role of art in shaping societies, the relationship between art and culture, the impact that art has on a person’s development, and *Seeroo fi al ardh.Located next to the Al Shaqab arena, the audio-visual installation is in alignment with Husain’s passion for creativity and freedom.Qatari artist Yousef Ahmed, who is featured in the documentary, said that Husain was interested in subjects related to the Earth and people, and has featured horses in his artwork.This was said to be a manner consistent with his vision – that the world has no limits.Ahmed emphasised in the documentary that the QF hosting Husain’s last art piece shows that Qatar is open to the world, saying: "Qatar has always been an incubator of creativity and art from all over the world, and *Seeroo fi al ardh is an opportunity to present the history of the artist Maqbool Fida Husain in a manner worthy of him and his art.”"His message is universal. Qatar built this magnificent building to immortalise Maqbool Fida Husain’s philosophy, history and art,” Ahmed added. "Through his art, he connects Islamic philosophy and the Holy Qur'an with his Indian heritage.”The art installation has become a distinguished work of Arab contemporary art with a significant link to the region’s history, people, and their contribution to human civilisation.Today, art is playing a major role in creating dialogue and stimulating critical thinking."As a teacher, I always make sure that my students have the incentive to explore the world around them, because as an artist or designer, you get inspired by what is around you,” said Majdulin Nasrallah, designer and visual artist adjunct professor at QF’s Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar. "Art classes at university here push students to discover artworks by different artists, and get into discussions with other people, which helps them mature and develop as artists and designers, rather than as students only.”The full documentary with English subtitles will be available on the Qatar Foundation website once it has aired.To visit *Seeroo fi al ardh in Education City, reserve a viewing on the Education City app.