Qatari artist explores modern, traditional architectural elements

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: Qatari artist Shua'a Ali delves into the intersection between the modern and the traditional in a more globalised society in her series of conceptual artworks displayed in a recently launched solo exhibition dubbed 'Rocks and Bricks — A Crossroad at Eiwan Al Gassar Gallery.

In this series, Shua'a mainly aims 'to celebrate the current reconciliation of traditional and modern elements, in the recent architectural and cultural developments in Qatar.

With globalization come challenges to local cultures as they try to keep pace with the wave of modern developments occurring simultaneously around the world while attempting to preserve national identity.

Using basic building construction materials such as bricks, stones, granites and marbles, the artist is able to successfully express significant meanings and messages she wants to convey visually through the objects on show.  She preferred to utilize these construction materials to symbolise both modernization and cultural identity.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is 'Tension and Connection in which she places a large stone in the middle of the installation to symbolize traditional culture. Hanging around the stone are two different types of bricks emblematic of two decades of fast-paced architectural development in constant dialogue with cultural identity. Overall, the installation depicts contrast between modern and traditional architecture further highlighted by the shadow the objects project on the wall.

The show also features 'Equilibrium, a series of 13 sculptures 'inspired by location marks found in Qatar, which Shua'a Ali documents for her continuous research on discarded construction materials. 

In each piece, Shua'a Ali puts one material on top of another creating a juxtaposition of different elements symbolic of the link between modern and traditional.

In two of the sculptures, the artist cast bricks in bronze 'to honour modern achievements and to give importance to prime construction materials that have traveled time and space.

The exhibition also includes a recreation of the artist's studio in which the artistic process from concept to the finished pieces, from inspiration to realization of the project is showcased in great detail.

Shua'a Ali is a self-taught artist whose interest in art was developed at a young age. Having lived in different cities for over two decades has profoundly influenced her art practice, but puts great emphasis on incorporating her roots in her works from paintings to sculptures.

'My sculptural works are an extension of the works on canvas and paper, moving toward 3-Dimensional objects and utilizing them to deliver similar themes and concepts related to culture and present day experiences. In these works I use juxtaposition and balance to elevate the works by creating a greater whole from single solid objects, she said.

'The methods used are a continuation of the layering paint techniques, evolving into stacking and balancing of solid objects. I consider the sculptural works as a 3-Dimensional collage of materials translating into a mode or communication with the viewer, she added.

The exhibition is open every day from 4pm to 10pm until end of this month.

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