Information
Landmark: Museum of Modern ArtCity: Doha
Country: Qatar
Continent: Asia
Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar, Asia
Overview
🖼️ Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art – Overview Mathaf (which means "museum" in Arabic) is a one-of-a-kind institution in the Arab world dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary art from the Arab region and beyond.🖼️ Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art – Overview
Mathaf, meaning “museum” in Arabic, stands as the Arab world’s only institution devoted entirely to modern and contemporary art, showcasing works from across the region and far beyond-think bold canvases splashed with desert ochre beside sleek sculptures in polished steel.You’ll find it in Doha’s Education City, where Qatar Museums runs the place.Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani founded the museum in December 2010, and its collection now holds more than 9,000 works in Arabic, English, and French.Once a school, the building has been transformed by French architect Jean-François Bodin into a sleek, minimalist space where sunlight glances off smooth white walls.The layout makes it easy to move smoothly from one exhibit to the next, with tall white walls, soft daylight spilling in, and galleries that can shift to fit the art.🖌️ Collections & Highlights Mathaf’s collection spans from the mid-19th century to the present day , showcasing: Paintings, sculptures, video, installation, photography, and mixed media Artists from across the Arab world , Iran , Turkey , Africa , and the diaspora 🎨 Notable Artists Featured: Dia Al-Azzawi (Iraq) Shakir Hassan Al Said (Iraq) Etel Adnan (Lebanon) Saloua Raouda Choucair (Lebanon) Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (Iran) Farid Belkahia (Morocco) And many younger contemporary voices across the region 🧠 Education & Research Mathaf Voices : Youth-led tours that provide personal, contemporary perspectives on art Artist Talks & Public Lectures : Regular sessions with renowned Arab artists and curators Workshops & School Programs : Family-friendly, creative activities Library : A rich archive of books, journals, and rare publications on Arab art Digital Encyclopedia : The Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World – a unique resource for scholars 🧭 Visitor Information 📍 Location Situated in Education City , near Qatar Foundation buildings Approx.Sculptures and installations often fill the courtyard, a bronze figure catching the afternoon light.Mathaf’s collection ranges from the mid-1800s to today, with works in paint, stone, video, installation, photography, and mixed media.It brings together artists from the Arab world, Iran, Turkey, Africa, and the diaspora-names like Dia Al-Azzawi and Shakir Hassan Al Said from Iraq, Etel Adnan and Saloua Raouda Choucair from Lebanon, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian from Iran, Farid Belkahia from Morocco, plus many younger voices shaping contemporary art across the region.Visitors can join Mathaf Voices, youth-led tours offering fresh, personal takes, or sit in on artist talks and public lectures with leading Arab creators and curators.Workshops and school programs invite hands-on creativity for families, while the library holds shelves of books, journals, and rare publications on Arab art.Online, the Digital Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World serves scholars worldwide.You’ll find Mathaf in Education City, not far from the Qatar Foundation’s buildings, where the air carries the scent of warm stone.
