Fire Station: Artist in Residence unveiled two exhibitions this week titled "Neighbours of the Sea” and “Etheralscape” by current and former Fire Station residents. These exhibitions, on display until August 17 at Gallery 3 and Gallery 4, are part of the Fire Station’s Artists in Residence and Ruwad in Residence programmes, aimed at fostering local talent through production support, curatorial guidance, and expert mentorship.
"Neighbours of the Sea," a collaborative exhibition by renowned Qatari artists Wafika Sultan al-Issa and Hassan al-Mulla, showcases more than 30 mixed-media paintings that delve into the profound connection between the artists' inner worlds and their environment, society, and heritage.
This exhibition will highlight how their creative expressions intersect, despite differing artistic styles, by drawing from the rich cultural tapestry and unique environmental landscape of Qatar. Their art takes the local environment and cultural heritage as a shared source of inspiration, reflecting the influence of the desert and sea on Qatari life, urbanism, and traditions.
Al-Essa, a resident in Fire Stations’ Ruwad in Residence programme and a Qatari visual artist since 1972, is a founding member of the Qatar Fine Arts Association and one of the pioneers of art in Qatar.
Al-Mulla, another resident in Fire Stations’ Ruwad in Residence programme and an influential Qatari visual artist, has left a mark on Qatar's art landscape. With a presidency at the Qatar Society for Fine Arts and solo exhibitions spanning Qatar, India, and Saudi Arabia, his contributions are widely recognised.
Many of the pieces were developed during their residency at the Fire Station's Ruwad in Residence programme that was launched by Fire Station in 2021 to support established Qatar-based artists, continuing the legacy of the programme that supported Qatari artist Faraj Daham.
The second exhibition, “Etheralscape”, is an immersive art installation by two former Artists in Residence, Dr AlKhuzama AlHarami and Guillaume Rousere, that merges the art of image and sound and delves into the interaction between nature and modern society.
As visitors step into the space, they will be immersed in a sensory experience that combines captivating video projects of desert landscapes and calligraphy, with immersive soundscapes drawn from desert field recordings and other evocative sounds. This exhibition also invites visitors to meditate and escape the stresses of daily life, providing a serene space for contemplation and relaxation.
Dr AlHarami, an artist-in-residence at Fire Station and an artificial intelligence artist with a PhD in Computer Engineering, aims to dissolve the barriers between artificial intelligence and artistic expression. Rousere, previously an artist-in-residence and an alumni-in-residence at Fire Station, is a French sound artist based in Qatar who employs sound as a vehicle for innovative explorations into the nexus of nature, culture, and history.
Fire Station director Khalifa Ahmad al-Obaidli said: “We are thrilled to present 'Neighbours of the Sea' and 'Etheralscape,' two exhibitions that embody the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Qatar as well as a reflection of modern society”.
An array of artworks on display at "Neighbours of the Sea” and “Etheralscape” exhibitions.
