Manal Al Dowayan to Exhibit exclusive Artworks at Katara Gallery

Acclaimed Saudi artist exhibits her collection for the launch of Katara Gallery

Doha, February 4th, 2012: The Katara Gallery today announced that acclaimed Saudi artist, Manal Al Dowayan, would exhibit her collection of works at Katara Gallery. From the 9th of February until the 9th March at Katara Gallery, Building 19, Katara, the exhibition will showcase artworks including photographs and mixed media, large scale installations.

The exhibition will launch the opening of the long-awaited Katara Gallery and will feature pieces of artwork reflecting the Saudi womans identity. The powerful I am series is inspired by a speech given by King Abdullah Al Saud, in which he called on Saudis to build their nation together, highlighting the importance of womens participation. The series depicts Saudi women in various occupations across the Kingdom, pieces include, I Am a Doctor, I Am a Petroleum Engineer, I Am a Mother, and I Am a UN Officer.

Commenting on the exhibition, Sidonio Costa Artistic, Director and Head Curator of Katara Art Center said: We are honoured to host this exhibition; Manal Al Dowayan is an inspiration to all local artists. Through her work she addresses the minority of women in the local art scene and reflects an important message through her groundbreaking work. This exhibition is an example of Kataras mission to cultivate an artistic community whilst building cultural bridges.

Through her artwork Al Dowayan also examines her environment in Saudi Arabia. Landscapes of the Mind depicts the artists surroundings in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Pieces illustrate the bleak landscapes, dotted with barbed wire and oil tanks, with women fully covered in shapeless black garb. These images reflect those used in Saudi television broadcasts and referred to by Saudi women as the black ghosts.

Other collections featured at the exhibition will include, And We Had No Shared Dreams which represents an imagined conversation between the city and its inhabitants and Esmi (my name), Dowayans most recent work, a three-meter-high prayer bead which draws upon the Saudi taboo of men not uttering a womans name. For the project, the artist called upon Saudi women to inscribe their names on the beads. Katara Gallery has organized a series of workshops, hosted by the artist on the 10th February. Art enthusiasts are invited to join the walk through at 2pm and 5pm, for more information please email: education@katara.net. - Ends -

About Katara The Cultural Village Situated on the eastern coast of Doha, Katara The Cultural Village is an integrated cultural landmark which possesses the character of a historic and inspirational breeding ground for arts and culture in Qatar.

The village is built on 1,000,000 square meters, its interconnecting pathways and creatively placed buildings constructed to resemble Al Fareej, an ancient Qatari alley.

Attractions offered by Katara The Cultural Village include an open amphitheatre, an opera house, a cinema which can double as a drama theatre, a multi-purpose hall, handicrafts souq, book stall, and beach, in addition to a rich variety of international cuisine.

Several locally based NGOs, including Algannas Society, Childhood Cultural Center, Qatar Fine Arts Society, Qatar Photographic Society, Qatar Society for Engineers, and Visual Art Center, currently operate in Katara The Cultural Village.

By hosting entertaining and informative festivals, exhibitions, forums, and other cultural events, Katara The Cultural Village accentuates Dohas globally recognized position as the capital of Arab culture.

For media enquiries, please contact: Hanadi AlJasim

Katara h.aljasim@katara.net +974 5571 1449 Rabia Zaman Hill & Knowlton rabia.zaman@hkstrategies.com +974 4441 4781