Artist Dan Pearce explores kinetic energy in Doha artwork
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Saudi artist rolls forward with bamboo paper
JEDDAH: Saudi artist Jumanah Telity has found an unusual medium for her creativity: bamboo paper. Through a labor-intensive process she transforms it into sturdy objects, from baskets and storage boxes to small-scale furniture and figurines. 'This art, like any other art, requires specific techniques, sense, and artistic thought to produce creativity,' she told Arab News. 'It differs from other arts in that it is a very strong and practical product that is used daily and also decoratively.' Originally an educator, Telity spent 19 years in schools, eventually serving as a principal. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to explore her long-time fascination with natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and rattan. That is when she discovered bamboo paper weaving online and something clicked. • In 2020, Saudi artist Jumanah Telity decided to explore her long-time fascination with natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and rattan. • She recently displayed her work at Balad Al-Fann in Jeddah's historic district. 'It strangely attracted me. I felt like I found my passion here because it really appealed to me,' she said. Telity says the method involves tightly rolling paper into sticks using a special needle. It is then woven into shape. 'It begins with choosing the type of paper, its size, and the way it is cut,' she said. 'After trying this art, you'll be amazed at the strength of these products and how they can be washed with soap and water without being affected.' She describes the art as eco-conscious because of the recycling involved in the process. To hone her craft, Telity enrolled in intensive online courses specializing in the technique. 'I found what I was looking for,' she said. 'The study was online, intensive, daily, and very precise in how to teach and train step by step.' Now among the first Saudi artists to specialize in this form of bamboo art, she credits the Kingdom's growing cultural landscape for supporting artists exploring niche and rare forms of expression. 'This type of art is considered one of the rarest arts in the world,' she added. 'It requires precise skills and a deep understanding of transforming paper into a wood-like material.' Telity recently displayed her work at Balad Al-Fann in Jeddah's historic district. She was struck by how strongly the art resonated with visitors. 'I noticed people's amazement and admiration for this art and how they were attracted by the type of art, method of weaving and the strength and ability to withstand external factors,' she said. She now plans to hold workshops to pass on her skills, with the goal of eventually becoming a certified trainer. With growing interest from aspiring crafters and a renewed push for cultural innovation across Saudi Arabia, Telity believes the future of this art form is bright.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Christie's London to feature retrospective on Syrian artist Marwan
DUBAI: Christie's is poised to host a non-selling exhibition of work by late Syrian artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi, titled 'Marwan: A Soul in Exile.' For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Taking place from July 16-22, the show was curated by Ridha Moumni, chairman of Christie's Middle East & Africa. This retrospective exhibition will display more than 150 works on loan from museums, institutions and private collections in Europe and the Middle East. The exhibition traces the artist's career, from his artistic beginnings in Syria to his prolific output in Germany, his adopted homeland, where he spent six decades of his life. 'I wanted to highlight the essential threads running through his career: from his iconic 'Face Landscapes' to the celebrated 'Heads,' his journey from Damascus to Germany, and the pivotal moments that shaped his legacy — including his major 1976 retrospective at Charlottenburg Schloss, which established his place in the German art scene,' Moumni told Arab News. 'Equally important is his enduring connection to Syria and the Arab world,' he added. With paintings, works on paper, and editions from 1953 until 2014, this exhibition offers audiences in London the chance to explore the artist's multi-disciplinary approach. 'Over the past two years, our aim has been to introduce artists and artistic scenes to London that people here don't often get to see. One of our deepest commitments is to highlight the richness of artists from the Arab world or of Arab heritage. Marwan embodies this mission beautifully: a towering figure from the Syrian diaspora, who built an extraordinary career in Germany, and had a big impact on modern portraiture,' Moumni said of Christie's decision to spotlight the artist this summer. In 1957, Marwan moved to Berlin and attended the Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste, graduating in 1963. The artist, who is referred to by his first name, joined a group of German expressionist painters that included Georg Baselitz and Eugen Schonebeck, but he retained his Syrian identity and engaged with social and political issues of the Middle East through his work. 'For those who already know his work, I hope they uncover new depths — its poetic power, its meditations on exile, identity, and belonging. Above all, I hope visitors feel a true connection to Marwan's work,' Moumni said.
Arab News
3 days ago
- 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.
