Ruwad: The Pioneering Contemporary Arts of Qatar

Ruwad, which means “pioneers” in Arabic, is a celebration of both established and emerging Qatar-based artists who are transforming the artistic landscape in the Gulf region. The program, launched in 2018, aims to present the leading visionary minds of Qatar, whose creative works continue to inspire and promote the cultural richness of the region. To further promote and collaborate on artistic exchanges and cultural activities, Ruwad 2021-2022 is presented in collaboration with the al markhiya gallery in Qatar. al markhiya promotes and represents a distinctive group of emerging and recognized Arab artists in Qatar, the region, and throughout the world. The four artists on display are Sarah Al Ansari, Mubarak Al Malik, Fatima Al Mohammed, and Ebtissam Al Saffar.

About al markhiya gallery:

The al markhiya gallery is committed to promoting the development of the Arab art world, both locally and globally, through building an important regional and international network of contemporary Arab artists. al markhiya offers established and emerging creatives exposure opportunities both for those living in the region and beyond, through exhibitions and other events. al markhiya promotes and represents a distinctive group of emerging and recognized Arab artists in Qatar, the region, and throughout the world. The gallery seeks out partnerships and collaborative opportunities with other major galleries globally. Our professional network provides for the exchanges of exhibitions and increases exposure for local and regional talent.

Meet the Artists

Fatima Mohammed

Fatima Mohammed is a contemporary Qatari artist, who works in mixed media, printmaking, and installation art. Fatima’s work focuses on the social anatomy of the Arabian Gulf and how it is changing over time from the perspective of her fictional world of 3naj (Anaj). In 2016, Fatima graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar with a bachelor’s degree in Painting and Printmaking and a minor in Art History. She took part in two artist residencies at 2017 Firestation Doha Qatar, International Studio & Curatorial Program New York USA. In addition to having multiple shows in Qatar, her work was also exhiubitied internationally, including in Russia, the UK, and the US.

Ebtissam Al Saffar

Doha Artist, Ebtisam Al Saffar received her BFA from Qatar University. In her paintings, Al Saffar employs her signature technique, of using vibrant bursts of color to reflect a sense of empathy and spirit from her subjects. Most recently, Al Saffar has composed a series of portraits featuring women, illustrating the societal roles women play as nurturers of life and development.

Al Safar’s paintings have been exhibited in Qatar, Oman, France, Japan, and Belgium.

Mubarak Al-Malik

Mubarak Al-Malik was born in Doha in 1987. He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Qatar University. His artistic vision involves searching for purity of origin without neglecting innovation and modernism. He often includes the (battollah), a golden mask that covers the faces of Qatari women, employing bright colors in his paintings to explore different interpretations of Qatar’s past.

Al-Malik has participated and represented Qatar in exhibitions within Qatar and internationally, he has also received numerous for his work. Al-Malik hopes to leave his passion and share his artistic impressions around the world.

Sarah Al-Ansari

Sarah Al-Ansari is an artist living in Qatar, who earned her BFA in Painting from Middle Tennessee State University in 2015. She works exclusively with paintings and printmaking and was an artist-in-residence at the Doha Fire Station from 2018-19.

Born to a Qatari father and an American mother, Sarah’s artwork involves a social commentary on her bi-cultural environment and the effect it had on her growing up. Finding a balance between respecting her Islamic culture and being a modernized woman has been a journey for her, and continues to be. She plays with a lot of elements in her work that include ambiguity, patterning, illusion and tension to create a discussion on cultural differences and a complex identity.

Recently, Sarah has started to incorporate herself more into her work, as she felt this gave a more personal and intimate touch on her stance and feelings about being a bi-cultural woman in the Middle East.