Art Basel, an international series of art fairs, has finally debuted its Middle Eastern outpost in Doha, Qatar. Taking place from February 5–7, the Qatar edition will celebrate both regional and international art, focusing on the theme “Becoming”.
The exhibition itself is in an open format, curated by Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, who is this season’s Artistic Director. 84 artists from 31 countries will be participating across 87 galleries. With over half the artists hailing from the MENASA region, we can expect artwork formed by regional context.
Beyond the solo presentations, visitors can also explore Art Basel Qatar’s special projects—ambitious, large-scale pieces of work set in public spaces. These projects aim to explore environmental and social histories that shape the MENASA region, sparking dialogue. One special project to note is by American neo-conceptual artist Jenny Holzer. Titled ‘SONG’, the project is a visual display that blends poetry and light. Using poems by the renowned Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and the acclaimed Emirati poet and filmmaker Nujoom Alghanem, Holzer’s work converges Arabic and English texts into a scene of disruptive rhythm. The piece will be projected throughout the fair from 5:30 PM to 5:00 AM at the Museum of Islamic Art’s main facade.
Tickets for Art Basel Qatar are available for purchase online through Art Basel’s website. The exhibition coincides with a series of cultural programs taking place in Qatar, making the trip to the cultural hub worthwhile.
