CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Qatar

Katara, QAIC open ‘Women of Pandemic’ exhibition

Published: 12 Oct 2021 - 08:46 am | Last Updated: 01 Nov 2021 - 10:13 am
Officials of Qatar America Institute for Culture during the launch of  'Women of the Pandemic' exhibition, in Washington, DC.

Officials of Qatar America Institute for Culture during the launch of 'Women of the Pandemic' exhibition, in Washington, DC.

The Peninsula

Doha: The Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) recently opened its “Women of the Pandemic” exhibition hosted at its headquarters in Washington, DC. 

Launched in partnership with the Katara Cultural Village in Qatar, the exhibition features the art of four American female artists and four Qatari female artists whose works reflect their resilience and artistic ambitions during a time of major adversity, which tested the creative communities worldwide.

With public gatherings slowly resuming, the reception at QAIC provided the opportunity to formally recognise the impact of these works, the artists behind them, and the supporters who made it possible, like ConocoPhillips and the Embassy of Qatar in Washington, DC. The attendees represented DC’s diverse landscape, including leaders from museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions.  The guests had the opportunity to view the curated works on display after several months of “Women of the Pandemic” being solely a virtual viewing experience. 

Fatima Al Dosari, Executive Director at QAIC and Peggy Loar, Chair of the Board of Directors at QAIC, gave remarks during the event.

“So many of the women I’ve known in life have had to be resourceful in ordinary times, but in a pandemic, new waves of creativity must come into play that challenges even the hardiest of women, even those who are used to a bit of chaos,” said Loar.  “Creativity seems to be in the very DNA of women who have both responsibilities and difficult life circumstances. Creativity is often the spark which enables them to climb mountains.”  

Following the remarks, several of the featured artists physically and virtually in attendance shared some brief commentary reflecting the time elapsed since the last hosted discussion with the artists back in June of this year. 

Moderated by Sandra Wilkins, a member of QAIC’s Board of Directors and former Chair of Fashion Arts at VCUarts Qatar, the participating artists shared their perspectives on creativity in a post-quarantine world. 

Regarding the works featured in the exhibition, Qatari painter Haifa Al Khuzai mentioned that her featured works “express the role of women as leaders, as a friend, as inspiration; and women who are connected to their heritage and traditions.”   

Some other artists directly took inspiration from the pandemic itself, like Qatari painter Abeer Al Kuwari, who said that her “paintings talk about joy and happy occasions during the coronavirus, showing the human connections and participation of family members during the pandemic.” 

For American artist Jordann Wine, creating her series of intricate mandalas started as a meditative practice and grounding experience. It was her moments of joy in an uncertain time.