Sheikha Al Mayassa opens Anassir solo exhibition by Bouthayna al-Muftah

 

 

Qatar Museums (QM) chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalid al-Thani, alongside Q-Auto’s (Audi’s official distributor in Qatar) founding chairperson Sheikha Hanadi al-Thani, opened ‘Anassir (Elements)’ by Qatari multidisciplinary artist Bouthayna al-Muftah at M7 on Tuesday. Al-Muftah’s latest composition depicts a passage through time, conveyed in a series of artworks – Fataraat (Phases), In'ekas (Introspection), and a breathtaking large-scale tapestry named Yeebhom (Bring Them Back). The tapestry is a legacy project produced in collaboration with the world-renowned La Cité internationale de la tapisserie in Aubusson. Born out of the relationship established during the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, the tapestry serves as a commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and France. The unique artwork blends French traditional and Qatari contemporary influences, inviting the viewer to discover traditional weaving craftsmanship through the lens of a contemporary artist. In a press statement, M7 director Maha al-Sulaiti said: “Under the umbrella of Qatar Museums, M7 aims to provide a platform to amplify the voice of Qatar’s creative industries through our exhibition programme. We are delighted to host Bouthayna al-Muftha’s latest body of work and highlight her creative vision on the world stage, ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. “This exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Audi, who share our same vision of progress and innovation through design. We are extremely proud to have them support Qatar’s cultural vision and celebrate local artists such as Bouthayna al-Muftah”. Al-Muftah, who received a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, later directed her artistic practice to printmaking, typography and documentation, which evolved over the years into large-scale installations and performance pieces. The core inspiration behind al-Muftah’s artistic production is Qatar’s deep-seated cultural heritage. Her art borrows elements from the people of Qatar’s oral history and folklore and readapts them to reflect her relationship with her land’s past. Deeply fascinated by the collective memory of her country, al-Muftah’s research focuses on old neighbourhoods of Qatar, and the key figures who shaped them. In an attempt to resuscitate and reconstruct pivotal moments from history into a contemporary setting, she lifts characters and stories from these communities, and locates them in her own universe through her art. Al-Muftah gradually turned to conceptual bookbinding as a means of expressing her understanding of Qatar’s past. When asked about the launch, al-Muftah said: “It was a privilege to have the support of Qatar Museums, M7 and Audi in translating my vision into a reality. My second solo exhibition, Annasir, presents a culmination of different practices using various mediums, spanning painting, photography, performance, and printmaking. I am excited to unveil these new pieces in Doha for the first time, and present what is an amalgamation of years of artistic experimentation and an exploration of Qatari culture via my own lens”. Al-Muftah’s multidisciplinary practices culminate in 360 unique and profound explorations of Qatari culture and its rapid development over a short period of time. Her exhibition is on show at M7 located in Msheireb Downtown Doha–Qatar’s epicentre for fashion, tech and design. The exhibition is accompanied by Audi’s House of Progress initiative, hosted by M7 and jointly curated by online art gallery Emergest. Elements (Anassir) is the second solo show for the artist in Doha, and is on display until January 21, 2023.