Getting to know Nasser Al Attiya
Nasser Al Attiya is a talented Qatari painter that has been a member of the Qatar Society for Fine Arts Association since 1989, acting as Vice President of the Association from 2015–16. Through his work, Al Attiya aims to address a range of universal topics and themes including freedom and society. He took part in Qatar Museums’ first Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme in Doha, a nine-month residency where local artists can take their passion to the next level, by collaborating with fellow creatives and developing their craft.
Paris Residency and the Fire Station: Artist in Residence
Nasser Al Attiya recently completed a successful three-month residency programme, that ran from 1 July – 30 September 2017, at the renowned Cité internationale des Arts in Paris. One of the biggest and most prestigious art residencies in the world, Cité internationale des Arts accepts some 1,000 artists from over 50 countries onto its programmes each year.
Held under the patronage of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Paris Residency is an extension of the Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme in Doha. It provides one lucky Qatari artist with studio space and all the benefits of an overseas art residency including opportunities to collaborate with like-minded individuals, the chance to develop their craft in a new setting and draw inspiration from museums, galleries, and the city’s vibrant art scene during a three-month period. Nasser’s residency is the second organised by the Fire Station this year and follows a three-month stay by Ebtisam Al Saffar in Paris that began in January 2017.
Art and the exhibition
Ahead of the exhibition featuring his art at the Fire Station, Nasser Al Attiya gave a public talk at the venue’s cinema on 4 December, during which he discussed his journey, his experience during his time in Paris, and the works he produced during his residency.
As part of his time in Paris, Nasser worked on a project titled ‘Perfume Planet’ in which he portrayed diverse personal appearances in a manner that reflects the huge array of perfume bottles produced around the world. He drew creative inspiration from his surroundings, producing work based on the eclectic range of perfume bottles that he encountered all around him in Paris.
The Qatari Art Residency Programme is a recurring three-month residency open to all Qatari artists and provides one lucky artist at a time with studio accommodation space, and the chance to be fully immersed in art and culture in the city and to find inspiration in the everyday lives of local citizens.
To celebrate his accomplishments, the Fire Station is showcasing the wonderful works of art created by Nasser during his residency at the Doha Fire Station. His art will be on show from 4 – 31 December, from 9 am – 7 pm.
For more information, visit the Doha Firestation: Artist in Residence online.
Follow @dohafirestation for information on the Fire Station’s latest programmes and events.