Qatar Year of Culture announces Jedariart, Portland

Qatar Year of Culture announced Sunday (August 29) the Portland, Oregon iteration of Jedariart, a public art initiative that brings Qatari artists and mural art to the US, as part of Qatar - USA 2021 Year of Culture.In partnership with the Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA), Qatari artist Fatima al-Sharshani will paint a new mural on a building wall located at 636 SE 10th Ave. The featured work, entitled ‘The Never Ending You’, is an expression of continuity and infinity. Al-Sharshani has been working in calligraphy art since 2011 and is the founder of Qaif, a calligraphy company. The Never Ending You is an abstract piece that merges Arabic letters into a shape of a circle, representing continuity. The inner depth of the circle is a sensory expression that sparks a notion of infinity, and the never-ending power that lives within us.  Similar to Jedariart, PSAA was created to advance street art culture and empower artists to activate the spaces where they live and work. al-Sharshani’s artwork will be a part of a larger programme to update and revamp building walls within the Central Eastside Industrial District and will be located alongside murals by local artists, including John Vance, Daniel Santollo, Jade Sturms, Sunny Beard, Isis Fisher, Jesus Torralba, Rupezzy, and more. “We are so excited to continue the Jedariart programme throughout the US,” said Aisha al-Attiya, head of Qatar Museum’s (QM) Years of Culture. “By introducing talented Qatar-based artists like Fatima al-Sharshani to the US, we’re continuing to build the Years of Culture programme and create a mutual partnership and understanding between the US and Qatar cultures.”“I am incredibly proud and grateful for this opportunity to represent my country, Qatar, abroad in the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture,” said al-Sharshani. “I am honoured to share my story through art and highlight the beauty of Arabic calligraphy on the walls of Portland.”Jedariart is an annual programme in Qatar developed by QM under the patronage of its Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in 2020 to add vibrancy and meaning to the walls of Doha through murals, encouraging individuals to reflect on social, historical, and cultural conversations. In selecting creatives for the initiative, QM launched an Open Call inviting aspiring and established artists in Doha to submit a proposal. In addition to Nada Khozestani, whose mural “Ladies in Batoola” is currently on view at the Doha Fire Station, selected 2020 participants included Mubarak al-Malik, Huda Basahal, Noura al-Mansoori, Dimitrije Bugarski, Sharefa al-Mannai, Thamer al-Dossari, Muna al-Bader, Fatima al-Sharshani, Michael Perrone, Maryam al-Maadhadi, Shuaa al-Kuwari, Abdulaziz Yousef, Abdulla al-Emadi, Alanoud al-Ghamdi, Haifa al-Khuzaei and Aisha al-Fadhala. This is the first year Jedariart is traveling internationally, as a part of the Year of Culture initiative.Following the Portland, Oregon programming, Jedariart will travel to several other US cities. Each stop of the tour will feature a different artist from Qatar working in a variety of styles, all of which celebrate the Qatari culture and traditions and inspire curiosity and discussion through beautifully unique pieces. Jedariart is just one of the many programmes that will be presented in the US and Qatar this year. The 2021 Year of Culture programme will continue to debut virtual and in-person events, including exhibitions and installations of works by Qatari and American artists; events showcasing the music, film, and fashion of both countries; sporting events; culinary experiences; entrepreneurship, innovation, STEM, and business events; and educational programmes.  All past, present, and future exhibitions, programs, and events will be featured on the official Years of Culture website, http://www.yearsofculture.qa.