Doha’s 10 Best Art Galleries and Museums: Qatar’s Thriving Art Scene
In contrast to Dubai and its countless independent galleries, Doha has a number of wonderful museums sponsored by the Qatar Museums Authority. With a number of art-minded investors, the city is quickly becoming the art capital of the Middle East, where astonishing collections of European and regional art often surpass those found in many western art centers. Here are the top ten art museums in Doha, Qatar.
1. Museum of Islamic Art
Museum
2. National Museum of Qatar
Museum
3. MATHAF – Arab Museum of Modern Art
Art Gallery, Museum
4. ALRIWAQ
Art Gallery, Museum
5. Katara Art Center
Art Gallery, Building
6. Al Markhiya Gallery
Art Gallery
7. Anima Gallery
Art Gallery
VCUQatar
The Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar is at the end of a line that originates in Richmond, USA, where the mother university is located. With art history, graphic design and interior design academic programmes, the VCUQatar has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design. Part of its pride is the university’s gallery, where the work of exciting international artists is presented to the public. Among others, exhibitions have showcased the work of Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj, who mounts his colorful studio portraits in frames that are as meaningful and visually upbeat as the main images; Colombian Mariana Heilmann, an artist investigating microscopic shapes and the repetitions of patterns across a varied range of media; and Egyptian Fathi Hassan, best known for his typographical experimentations of ancient languages.
Al Luqta Street, Education City, Doha, Qatar, +974 4402 0555
East Wing
East Wing gallery calls itself ‘an international platform for photography’. Indeed, other than its activity in Doha, and a new space opening soon in Dubai, East Wing’s staff are also busy curating and commissioning projects around the world. The gallery focuses on thought-provoking contemporary photography with socially relevant themes, and represents works of many emerging to mid-career international artists. Among the best known are World Press Photo winner Philippe Dudouit, and multitalented Phillip Toledano, who put his art to test across a range of media and contexts, and always with success.
East Wing does not have a permanent exhibition space in Doha. Please check the gallery’s website for upcoming projects.
8. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Museum
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