An exciting addition to the regional cultural calendar, the inaugural Art Basel Qatar is taking over Msheireb Downtown Doha in a format developed specifically for the city.
Bringing together 87 galleries from 31 countries to present the work of 84 artists, the event runs from today to Saturday.
Curated by Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, who serves as artistic director, in collaboration with Art Basel’s chief artistic officer and global director Vincenzo de Bellis, the event carries the theme 'Becoming' and explores ideas of metamorphosis, transition, upheaval and the thresholds in between.
“This was not about reproducing an existing model in a new geography,” Shawky says. “It was a chance to co-create something new, rooted in and inspired by Qatar and the wider region. What excited me most was the idea of bringing artists and galleries from the region into conversation with the international art world.
The open format “places each artist’s practice in context
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