(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Emerging Qatari artist Moza al-Marri has brought the warmth of both Qatari and Japanese traditions onto one canvas, and in doing so, earned first prize in the 2025 Japan-Qatar Illustration Contest.

Her winning piece, titled“Qahwa wa Chai – Coffee and Tea,” celebrates the shared cultural essence of hospitality, the gesture of offering a drink, whether Arabic coffee or Japanese tea, as a universal language of respect and connection.

“It's not just colours and lines. Art is a message you send to the world. I wanted to show that despite our distance, Qatar and Japan share deep similarities, in how we welcome people, how we sit together, even in our architecture and manners,” al-Marri told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the awarding ceremony at the Japanese embassy in Doha recently.

Her research-driven approach reflects her belief that meaningful art begins with understanding.

“You need to research, to brainstorm, to understand the idea before applying it,” she said, noting that both cultures value hospitality, gratitude, and harmony.

Asked why Japanese culture, particularly anime and manga, which is gaining popularity among Qatari youth, al-Marri described it as part of a broader curiosity and cultural openness.

“It's something new, something different. People here love discovering new art forms and feeling they belong to something. The anime community in Qatar is growing and it brings people together, especially the youth,” she said.

Al-Marri noted that what was once a niche interest has blossomed into a thriving subculture:“Years ago, anime wasn't well-known here. Now, families support their children's interests in it, and that's beautiful to see.

She added that Qatar is even developing its own anime productions, and described it as“a promising future.”

For al-Marri, initiatives like the Japan-Qatar Illustration Contest go beyond art competitions, they are cultural dialogues.

“You need to think of the other side. When I worked on my illustration, I thought, what if a Japanese person saw this? It would help them understand us better and the same goes for us understanding them. It's a two-way message,” she said.

Her reflections echo the contest's broader mission: to foster understanding, empathy, and collaboration between Qatar and Japan through creativity.

Al-Marri termed such experience as“wholesome” and deeply rewarding, saying:“I had to set aside a lot in my life to focus on this piece, but it was worth it. Seeing how well the contest was organised, how much effort the embassy and team put into it, it shows how much they care.”

She hopes future editions will draw even more participation, stressing that“there's so much talent here in Qatar, and next time, I want to see thousands joining.”

Al-Marri's growing portfolio also includes her contribution to the“For Palestine” student art exhibition at Multaqa Art Gallery in 2023, another proof to her drive to use art as a form of empathy, advocacy, and connection.

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