QM's Jedariart programme sees Qatari artists painting murals in US cities

Qatar Museums continues to expand its public art initiative ‘Jedariart’, bringing Qatari artists and mural art to the US as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.In partnership with local organisations, Jedariart has already left its mark in Jersey City, Portland, San Francisco, Houston, and Miami, FL with participating artists each bringing their own personal style and celebration of Qatari culture to walls throughout the US. In Jersey City, Nada Khozestani painted Side by Side, a mural inspired by her deep love and fascination for Qatari culture and the vast range of saturated colours found in daily life and various elements seen in nature. In Portland, Fatima al-Sharshani painted a mural entitled The Never Ending You, an expression of continuity and infinity, which debuted in August.In San Francisco, Mubarak al-Thani, a self-taught artist with a broad skillset, from acrylic paintings to sculptures, photography, and mural-art, has painted a cityscape inspired by San Francisco and Doha, Qatar. In Houston, Qatari artist, Muna al-Bader, known for her colour-filled paintings that blend realistic elements and abstraction, while merging iconic Qatari traditions and culture with Western artistic lexicons, recently completed a mural at the University of Houston, the first public university in the US to start a public art initiative. In Miami, famed Qatari artist Mubarak al-Malik added one of his unique pieces featuring women in batoolas, a traditional face covering historically worn by Bedouin women. Mubarak al-Thani’s artwork, Mission 974, which merges the San Francisco and Doha skylines, is currently on view at the 24th Street and Mission Street Bart Plaza Station at the Mission District of San Francisco. Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture partnered with Mission Art 415, a not-for-profit organisation working to shift the public perception of street art. In Houston, Muna al-Bader has painted “Cultural Bonds,” the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar; Jedariart; the Diplomacy Institute of University of Houston-Clear Lake; and Public Art of the University of Houston System. The new mural is a perfect depiction of al-Bader’s art, which as she shares “is exceptionally inclusive and acts as a medium for emotional communication.”“Jedariart is one of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture programmes that continues to make a huge impact on local communities within the states”, said Aisha al-Attiya, director of Cultural Diplomacy Department, QM. “By introducing these talented artists and their artwork that tell such rich stories to cities across the US, we are able to create a mutual partnership and understanding of both cultures.” “The Jedariart activations that are taking place, including in San Francisco and Houston, celebrate the deep and lasting friendship between Qatar and the US, and recognise the many artists who are bringing our culture to life,” said Fatema al-Baker, director of Public Diplomacy Outreach at the Embassy of Qatar to the US. “As part of the Year of Culture, the Jedariart activations are an exciting way to bring people from our two nations together to foster mutual understanding, meaningful cultural exchange and an appreciation for the arts, while further aligning and strengthening our relationship of over 50 years.” 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. Over the last year, Jedariart Qatar has completed several murals at AlFirdous street and a hoarding at AlKhaleej street by Mubarak al-Thani, Huda Basahal, Ghada al-Suwaidi, Suha al-Dani, Ahmed al-Jufairi, Abdullah Alsallat, Mubarak al-Malik and Bouthayna al-Zaman. This is the first year Jedariart is traveling internationally, as a part of the Year of Culture initiative.The Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture programme has debuted a series of in-person and virtual events, including exhibitions and installations of works by Qatari and American artists; events showcasing the music, film, and fashion of both countries; culinary experiences and more.