Art Basel to launch new fair in Qatar
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
Announced on Tuesday, the inaugural Art Basel Qatar is a joint partnership between the organization's parent company MCH Group, Qatar Sports Investments, and QC+, a cultural commerce collective.
The fair will be held at M7 and the Doha Design District in Msheireb, at the heart of the city's creative quarter.
It promises a tightly curated showcase of leading modern and contemporary art galleries, spotlighting talent from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.
The initiative builds on Qatar's long-term cultural vision, championed by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums.
'We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports … and are pleased to welcome the Art Basel organization as our partner,' she said.
The project follows Qatar's successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup and aims to further position the nation as a hub for arts, sports, and tourism.
QSI's Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi called the partnership 'part of the legacy' of the World Cup and a new chapter in QSI's investment in culture.
Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz said the initiative 'supports artists and galleries and develops new collecting audiences,' while MCH Group CEO Andrea Zappia added that it 'will attract art buyers and fans from the region and all over the world.'
Art Basel Qatar will be the fifth fair in the Art Basel portfolio, joining editions in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
12-07-2025
- Arab News
Artist Dan Pearce explores kinetic energy in Doha artwork
DUBAI: Internationally-acclaimed London-based artist Dan Pearce has revealed the inspiration for his work to mark the 20th anniversary of the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, titled 'Kinetic Drop.' Known for commissions from French football icon Paul Pogba, other celebrities and global exhibitions, the artist's bespoke sculpture is crafted from stainless steel. 'I titled this sculpture 'Kinetic Drop' because it captures that precise moment when a water droplet collides with a surface, that split second when kinetic energy disperses in all directions,' Pearce told Arab News recently. A post shared by Four Seasons Hotel Doha (@fsdoha) 'With all my work, I aim to trigger one of three responses: to make viewers think 'how did he do that?' to inspire them to touch the artwork, or to encourage movement around the piece for different perspectives,' he added. The artist, who was born in Australia, is known for his pop culture-inspired work and often turns to DC Comics, musicians and street art for source material. Taking inspiration from the hotel and its surroundings in Doha may have been a welcome departure for the artist. 'The sculpture is mounted on a map of Qatar. 'Geographically, Qatar is also surrounded by water as a peninsula while Four Seasons Doha is situated on the Arabian Gulf where I could see endless views of the shimmering waters from our room — this was also part of the inspiration behind the piece,' he explained. As for the location of the artwork, the artist said it 'could create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging visitors and guests to interact and connect with it on a social level and experience it before it's gone.' Pearce's work has captured the attention of celebrities and worldwide brands, with commissioned pieces for boxing champion Anthony Joshua, Grammy nominee Rag'n'Bone Man, and hip-hop star 50 Cent, to name a few. Ensuring his work can be understood across cultures is something that was particularly important to Pearce in the run-up to his showcase in Doha. 'With the concept of the sculpture being water, this makes it universally significant across all cultures. Water represents life, renewal, and connection which are key elements that can transcend cultural boundaries,' he said.
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Arab News
Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud: ‘I created a new language that cannot be read, but felt'
DUBAI: Despite her love for art, Lulwah Al-Homoud didn't set out to be an artist. But last month her work — rooted in geometry, Arabic calligraphy, and deep spiritual reflection — was on display at one of Europe's most cutting-edge digital art events. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The Saudi artist was featured at this year's edition of The Digital Art Mile in Basel, Switzerland, (which ran alongside Art Basel) presented by the Sigg Art Foundation. A post shared by Lulwah Al Homoud (@lulwah_al_homoud) Her featured work comes from her series 'The Language of Existence' — a reimagined Arabic alphabet that uses geometric patterns inspired by Islamic art. 'I created different geometric shapes assigned to each letter,' Al-Homoud says. 'I kind of created a new language that cannot be read, but can be felt more.' 'The Language of Existence' is a perfect representation of Al-Homoud's work in general. 'I was always drawn to calligraphy and Islamic geometry — we all see these beautiful (writings) and patterns, but we don't know the meaning behind them,' she says. A post shared by Lulwah Al Homoud (@lulwah_al_homoud) It was while pursuing her master's in arts at London's Central Saint Martins that Al-Homoud really began to dig into that meaning, studying geometry and calligraphy inspired by Islamic art and learning how they were developed over centuries by different cultures. Her path to that master's was not straightforward. 'I was always an artist inside — always drawing portraits and landscapes — but I wanted to have a career,' she says. 'My family, especially wanted me to be a woman who has a career and who helps her society and all that.' She gained a bachelor's degree in sociology, and — in the late Nineties — began studying visual communication design in London before moving on to her master's. Al-Homoud began her working life curating exhibitions for Middle Eastern artists and calligraphers in London, something that helped her discover her own artistic voice. A post shared by Hafez Gallery حافظ جاليري (@hafezgallery) 'When I learned about the sophisticated ideas behind Islamic art and geometry, I said, 'That's what I want to do.' Because I felt that it was more of a universal language and it's also where art and science meet,' she says. 'I felt I wanted to do something with meaning. 'I wasn't thinking of exhibiting my work at all, but someone discovered my sketches and said, 'Your work is great. You have to show it.' And that's where it all began,' she adds. Despite that initial encouragement, Al-Homoud says it wasn't easy to establish herself as an artist in London in the early 2000s. Partly because people often made assumptions about her before even talking to her, based on her ethnicity and religion. 'When I did exhibitions, they would come and ask me the wrong questions — they wouldn't look at the art and relate to it,' she says. 'It took time for people to realize that artists speak a universal language. Art really brings people together, while the world (wants to impose) divisions and categorization.' While her art may have universal appeal, it is also heavily inspired by Al-Homoud's personal beliefs. 'I (learned about) and met a lot of people in the art field who were using this calligraphy and geometry,' she says. 'I feel this kind of art really reflects your spirituality and your connection to God more than any other, and this is the reason why Muslim artists kept doing it for all these years,' she says. 'When I create art, I lose myself to Allah. That's why people say it feels peaceful.' Al-Homoud has founded an art center in Riyadh called Isdar, dedicated to teaching fine art and printing and to inspiring young artists. 'I feel it's my time now to give. I had an experience that wasn't that easy — it's much easier now for artists in Saudi Arabia. But you need to educate them to be good artists, not just artists,' she says. 'When you come to our space, you see me as a collector, as an educator, as an artist, and as a curator. I'm hoping to have a small museum in the future as well.' Al-Homoud urges aspiring artists to be patient, and to be honest about their abilities and goals. And, most importantly, she says, 'Stay humble. One of the greatest things I have learned from studying Islamic art is to be humble, no matter how successful or how big your name is.'
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Arab News
Recipes for Success: Chef Tomlin George Graham offers advice and a tasty jerk chicken recipe
DUBAI: Chef Tomlin George Graham began his career 16 years ago, but his love for cooking started long before that — at home in Jamaica. Graham was raised in a family where recipes and techniques were passed down through generations, and he discovered his passion for food early. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Graham's career has taken him across the globe, from working for Carnival Cruise Line in the US to leading kitchens in Qatar and serving as a private chef to the governor general at King's House in Jamaica. He also played a key role in opening a Jamaican restaurant in Qatar. He is now based in the UAE, serving as head chef at Ting Irie, which has branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and bills itself as the country's first Jamaican restaurant and lounge. When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made? Not following recipes in the proper order. The end results were always less than ideal, but, honestly, also quite amusing. What's your top tip for amateur chefs? Taste frequently while cooking. It helps you understand how flavors are formed and will also help you become experienced at adjusting herb and spice amounts. Also, keep an open mind and soak up as much knowledge as you can from other cooks. What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? Garlic. It's rich and aromatic and it can be used in multiple forms — raw, sautéed, roasted, powdered or fermented — at different cooking stages. What's your favorite cuisine or dish to order? I actually tend to dine out to find inspiration for my dishes. Exploring different cuisines keeps my palette fresh and can spark creative ideas in the kitchen. Japanese cuisine, in particular, is a treasure trove. The clean but complex flavors, the seasonal ingredients, the care in presentation… it always inspires me. What's your go-to dish if you must cook something quickly at home? Fried chicken is a true delight. It hits all the right notes. It's crispy, savory, juicy, and incredibly satisfying. The contrast between the crunchy, seasoned crust and the tender, flavorful meat is almost irresistible. What customer behavior most annoys you? I'm doing something I love, so I don't usually get annoyed. However, customers being disrespectful or aggressive makes it harder for everyone to do their job. Customers who misunderstand their dietary restrictions can also be tricky to navigate. For instance, someone might say they're a strict vegetarian, but then mention they eat fish — implying that they're actually a pescatarian. What's your favorite dish to cook? I have a few: Caribbean-style curried goat, jerk chicken and roasted fish. Each one carries unforgettable flavors, but also memories of home, family gatherings, the people I love and the moments we've shared together. For me, food is much more than nourishment; it's a way of staying connected to my roots, my culture and the ones who matter the most. And that's part of the reason why we also integrated those dishes into the Ting Irie menu. What's the most difficult dish for you to get right? With any dish, it's all about understanding the ingredients and how they work together. Once you get that, following the recipe becomes second nature. For me, pâté is challenging. It requires precise technique, delicate ingredients like liver or foie gras, and a time-consuming preparation process. Traditional pâtés often involve curing, baking and resting over several days. As a head chef, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Do you shout a lot? Or are you more laid back? I run my kitchen with discipline and intensity. I believe a kitchen, much like the military, relies on structure, clear communication and accountability. I might raise my voice when necessary — but it's never out of ego; it's to uphold standards and keep the team focused during high-pressure moments. There is a deep camaraderie that forms when you're creating under pressure, and I make sure that passion and pride are always part of the process. Chef Tomlin's jerk chicken Ingredients: Whole chicken - 1500g Pimento -20g Scotch bonnet-10g Cinnamon powder -5g Ginger -15g Fresh thyme-20g Escallion-15g Garlic-10g White onion-10g Soya sauce-10ml Chicken spice -10g White vinegar -15ml Method: Remove the tail from the chicken, then cut the chicken in half vertically, having the breast, wing, thigh and leg on each half. Wash the chicken and set it aside Measure all herbs and spice and set them aside Wash the thyme, escallion, garlic, ginger, white, onion, scotch bonnet and add them all to a blender with 15g of pimento, 15g thyme, soya sauce, chicken spice, cinnamon and blend for 1 minute. Add the blended mixture to the cut chicken and gently rub and marinate the chicken until it is fully coated (for the best taste, leave to marinate for at least 24 hours before cooking). On the grill turn on medium heat, add the remaining 5g pimento, 5g thyme and add the chicken on grill for smoking. Close the grill and let the chicken smoke. Turn the chicken every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve with sides of your choice.
