Fire Station’s Artist in Residence and Ruwad in Residence programmes to unveil two exhibitions

Doha, Qatar: Fire Station s Artist in Residence will feature two exhibitions titled Neighbours of the Sea and Etheralscape , by current and former...

Doha, Qatar: Fire Station's Artist in Residence will feature two exhibitions titled “Neighbours of the Sea” and “Etheralscape”, by current and former Fire Station residents, on display from June 5 \until August 17, 2024 at Gallery 3 and Gallery 4 at Fire Station.

These exhibitions are part of the Fire Station’s Artists in Residence and Ruwad in Residence programs (2021-2023), which aim to foster local talent through production support, curatorial guidance, and expert mentorship.

“Neighbours of the Sea,” a collaborative exhibition by renowned Qatari artists Wafika Sultan Al Issa and Hassan Al Mulla, will showcase over 30 mixed-media paintings that delve into the profound connection between the artists’ inner worlds and their environment, society, and heritage. This exhibition will highlight how their creative expressions intersect, despite differing artistic styles, by drawing from the rich cultural tapestry and unique environmental landscape of Qatar.

Wafika Sultan Al Essa, a resident in Fire Stations’ Ruwad in Residence program (2021-2023) and a Qatari visual artist since 1972, is a founding member of the Qatar Fine Arts Association and one of the pioneers of art in Qatar. Hassan Al-Mulla, another resident in Fire Stations’ Ruwad in Residence program (2021-2023) and an influential Qatari visual artist, has left a mark on Qatar’s art landscape. With a presidency at the Qatar Society for Fine Arts and solo exhibitions spanning Qatar, India, and Saudi Arabia, his contributions are widely recognised.

Many of the pieces were developed during their residency at the Fire Station’s Ruwad in Residence program (2021-2023) that was launched by Fire Station in 2021 to support established Qatar-based artists, continuing the legacy of the programme that supported Qatari artist Faraj Daham from 2017 to 2020. This initiative ensures that Fire Station remains deeply connected to local artists at various stages of their careers, fostering an exchange between established artists and those participating in the Artist in Residence program.