DOHA: Winning artworks by students from schools across the country are featured at the second Mathaf Student Art Exhibition at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.
They were the result of a competition under the theme ‘Black and White’ by Mathaf Education Department for students from KG to high school in the fall of 2013. The contest received over 300 entries from 39 schools, including installations, videos, paintings, sculptures and photographs.
Nearly 500 people attended the opening of the exhibition, which featured performances by the Doha Children’s Choir, and student musicians Shahir Al Dhari and Riham Al Nasr.
Visitors also participated in a collective art work in the Black & White Studio, with images, ideas and words inspired by the expo, led by guest artist Sonia Brewin with the help of winning students. Others enjoyed printing images on their T-shirts in black and white designs made by VCU-Qatar students.
The artworks were selected by a panel which evaluated the entries based on concept originality, inventive use of material and media, creative expression, understanding of the ‘black and white’ theme and artist statement.
Art and education are priorities of Qatar Museums (QM). “As Doha’s first museum for modern and contemporary art, Mathaf plays a special role in the creative life of Qatar,” said H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson, Qatar Museums.
“But Mathaf is much more than a museum. It is a platform where contemporary artistic production and debate takes place, a showcase for new movements in the art world and creative communities where emerging talent can experiment, create and share projects with one another.”
Abdellah Karroum, Mathaf’s Director, regularly invites visitors and art practitioners to co-think the museum, and Mathaf’s exhibitions are complemented with publications, lectures, meetings and an education programme. “We are proud that Mathaf fosters the original aim of its current building, initially built as a school, and the way we contribute to art education in Qatar.
“The museum’s role will be fully accomplished when activities we propose are incorporated in the everyday life of our audience. Art makes sense when it is in the world and of the world,” he said.
Maral Bedoyan, Head of Education, Mathaf, said, “The exhibition is realised through students who responded to the question ‘What can you learn by looking, thinking and working through black and white?’ Their responses exceeded our expectations with the depth of their thinking, creativity, and willingness to experiment, which emphasises the importance of art education and the aim of Mathaf’s education programme.” The Peninsula
