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• Inspiring multi-media exhibit at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb showcases 24 local artists that creatively represent the unique trials of this year to honour global action and solidarity

Doha, Qatar; November 19, 2020: Featuring inspiring works of art from 24 local talents, the multimedia-art exhibit ‘Outbreak’ at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb opened yesterday in the presence of H.E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Doha Film Institute, and H.E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, as part of the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) 8th Ajyal Film Festival.

In attendance from the Institute were: Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI; Abdulla Al Mosallam, Chief Administrative Officer of DFI; Fatma Al-Ghanim, Director of Marketing and Communications at DFI; and Sheikh Khalifa Al-Thani, Curator of the exhibition.

A highly anticipated in-person element of Ajyal 2020, ‘Outbreak’ is presented in line with government guidelines and with the health of all visitors as the top priority.

Presenting some of the most promising artist from the local art and culture scene, the exhibit now welcomes visitors until 10 December, Saturday to Thursday from 10 AM – 10 PM, and Friday from 2 PM – 10 PM at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb as part of Ajyal’s initiative to expand audience access to innovative multidisciplinary creative programmes to inspire and unite the community.

The thought-provoking selection of artworks demonstrates the powerful rise of creativity and innovation out of adversity in an artistic celebration of modern-day heroes. An exploration of the artists’ personal trails of isolation and separation, ‘Outbreak’ challenges audiences to consider the various facets of how the current pandemic can affect – and sometimes inspire – our worldview.

At the opening press event, participating artist Mohammed Al-Hammadi spoke about his piece ‘Breakout’, which combines video projection with an artistic arcade game vision of 2020 and the events that defined it. Al-Hammadi said: “While my piece does not appear positive at first, I believe we will overcome the obstacles of this year and reach the end of the tunnel soon.”

Maryam Al-Suwaidi, whose piece ‘Oblivious Habits’ projects a dystopian image of a specked mirror, tarnished newspapers and a gasmask, explained her idea of the role of creatives in times of difficulty: “We all share a sense of responsibility and, as artists, each of us wants to express that through our work – we just have our own way of articulating it.”

On his intriguing white picture series ‘Consumerism in Covid’ of a human head and white scarf, Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, touched on the inspiration for his work: “As we moved into COVID-19, many of us were faced with misinformation and we did not know how to deal with that. My art, with its visual representation of the human head and veil, captures the idea of ‘transmission’ – both from the virus and from misinformation that spreads from one person to another. It also represents us turning increasingly aware – while drawing on a constant dialogue of positive versus negative.”

Participating artists include: Ali Al-Mannai, Ibrahim Al-Baker, AJ Al-Thani, Shouq Al-Manaa, Hamad Al-Fayhani, Noor Al-Nasr, Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, Saad Al-Muslamani, Roda Al-Thani, Bothayna Al-Zaman, Anfal Al-Kandari, Maryam Al-Homaid, Mohammed Al-Hammadi, Marsya Abdulghani, Elie Fahed, Abdulaziz Yousef, Maryam Al-Suwaidi, Adriane De Souza, Paul Valentine, Sharefa Al-Mannai, Reem Al-Haddad, Maha Al-Subaey, Nasser Al-Kubaisi, and Ghada Al-Khater.

2020 Ajyal Film Festival’s Official Partners include: Katara Cultural Village Foundation – Cultural Partner; Qatar National Tourism Council – Principal Partner; Novo Cinemas, Ooredoo – Strategic Partner, Msheireb Properties, Lusail, Qatari Diar – Signature Sponsors.