(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
Qatari artist Mohammed Faraj Al Suwaidi has lauded Qatar Museums for providing myriad opportunities for artists and the community to grow by creating links between artists from different countries through its various programmes and initiatives.
'It creates a very strong social hub for creative users and community to grow through programmes like in the Fire Station and with the recent opening of the National Museum of Qatar. All these are opportunities for people to grow. It also creates connection to the outside world as well in collaboration with international artists and with different countries through the Year of Culture initiative, said Al Suwaidi.
He was speaking to local media recently on the sidelines of the opening of the fourth Artist in Residence exhibition at Doha Fire Station, where he took up a nine-month residency along with 18 Qatari and Doha-based artists from various nationalities.
'It was a very unique experience and a huge source of encouragement for all local and international artists to take part in the programme which was an opportunity to also introduce oneself into the community as well with their works, their ideas and their concepts, he said on the Fire Station Artist in Residence programme. Titled 'Infinite Dimensions, the exhibition, which runs until September 1 at Garage Gallery, is a brilliant showcase of more than 55 conceptual artworks by the artists who took part in the fourth cycle of the residency.
An architect, animator and designer, Al Suwaidi, who finished BA in Architecture from Plymouth University and MA in Architecture from the University of Liverpool, is showcasing a series of kinetic installations in which he explores the concept of time and change.
'The inspiration for my piece started off with the idea of change. Travelling abroad and studying there for five years and coming back seeing the level of development that has changed definitely caught me by surprise, he said.
He took special interest on the contrast between the aging buildings and the new structures coming up in Qatar which gave birth to the concept of the piece in which he introduced varied materials including steel and sand to execute a storyline. The result is a striking series of installations, some of which are constantly moving and producing metallic sound, intended 'to create a dialogue linking the individual's perception to the construct of time.
The artist expressed hope the subjects he has been researching and working on will be developed as well using new materials and exploring novel techniques of execution. He is the current artist in residence at Studio 209 NY.
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