After many triumphant and well-received public art exhibitions, Qatar’s talented artist, Ahmed Al Jufairi will be pioneering the country’s first-ever mother/son duo art exhibition: ‘Perfect Duet’ at Art29, W Doha from 27 July until 27 August.
Al Jufairi is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University who to-date has successfully headlined over 12 exhibitions – including four solo shows, as well as an international showcase in Paris, France. He is now putting his talent to curating a show that is particularly dear to his heart, with his work presented alongside the work of his mother Hanady Al Othman.
Hanady Al Othman. Born with an artistic ‘itch’, Hanady Al Othman was never presented with the opportunity to express her creativity through art as this was deemed to be an ‘unacceptable’ life choice. Qatar did not have universities that focused on art, consequently resulting in her majoring in chemistry.
But art really did run in the family, and although there were so many restrictions, Hanady Al Othman never backed down and continued to paint – in private, and without realising she would make a masterpiece every once in a while, with her forte being oil and acrylic paintings. Never given the opportunity – or even the permission, to truly express her personal fondness for creating such pieces, Al Othman has always sought to champion and coax her son Ahmed Al Jufairi to follow his artistic calling.
The ‘Perfect Duet’
The ‘Perfect Duet’ exhibition is conceived as a result of Al Jufairi realising the long-overdue necessity for the world to see the talent of his mother.
I just made my mother’s dream come true and this very exhibition proves that art is personal, it is not just business.’
Together, the two will showcase a collection of artworks inspired by this year’s Qatar-India Year of Culture, and displaying over 20 installations using different mediums.
Their inspiration for the showcase was derived from visits and travels through many cities in India, taking snippets and images of iconic monuments, forts, colours, sounds and the vibrancy of the country’s landscape. Taking heed from the vividness of India, Al Othman’s collection of art draws inspiration from the festivals. Al Othman’s take on the ‘Holi’ festival of colours can be seen on canvas through splashes of colours, depicting a different story with each brushstroke.
The ‘Perfect Duet’ exhibition will finally give Hanady Al Othman the platform to express her artistic flair.
Update: W Doha Hotel Continues to Host Qatar’s First Mother and Son Duo Art Exhibition
W Doha Hotel & Residences, a luxury lifestyle hotel in Qatar, hosted an exclusive art exhibition titled ‘Perfect Duet’ by Qatar’s talented and key artist, Ahmed Al-Jufairi alongside his mother, artist Hanady Al-Othman, at the ART29 gallery.
The ‘Perfect Duet’ showcases the nexus of mother and son, cultures and histories, India and Qatar, and colours and mediums. The collection of artworks including work on canvas and sculptures expresses the artistic locus of both Ahmed Al-Jufairi and Hanady Al-Othman. Their collective exhibition comprises of over 20 installations that are based on different mediums of art, such as sculptors, hints of fashion, digital prints, 3D and oil and acrylic paintings.
Al-Jufairi and his mother, Al-Othman each have a very distinctive interpretation on the Qatar/India artistic message; with Al-Othman choosing to celebrate women in a very bright, colourful and empowering paintings, such as one series of paintings entitled ‘She Thought She Could’ / ‘So She Did’.
This indeed can also be seen as a reflection of Al-Othman’s own fortitude, as born with an artistic itch, growing up, Al-Othman was never presented with the opportunity to express her creativity through art as this was deemed not to be an ‘acceptable’ life choice. Thus the opening reception for the month-long exhibition, which was held on the 27 July, is the much overdue recognition of Al-Othman’s talent.
The Indian Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency P. Kumaran, said during the opening night:
The vibrant expression of this union between India and Qatar, nourished over centuries of trade and cultural links, has been interpreted and expressed by both artists Ahmed Al-Jufairi and his mother Hanady Al-Othman and highlights, with a warm sentimentality, the artistic interchange between our two cultures.’
Also in attendance on the opening night were ambassador’s and dignitaries, Peru’s Deputy Chief of Mission, His Excellency Oswaldo Daneri; The Respected Yasir Nainar, Vice President of DPS-MIS and Secretary-General of the Indian Business and Professional Council in Qatar; Dr Anna Paolini, Director of the UNESCO Representative in the Arab States of Gulf and Yemen, as well as Qatar’s media and a host of art lovers and supporters to mark this innovative collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion of the opening night, Ahmed Al-Jufairi commented:
I am excited to display my latest work here at Art29. However, it is even more of an exciting moment this time round as I am proudly standing with my mother who not only is my inspiration, but also my artistic mentor, and a revered artist in her own standing.’
The ‘Perfect Duet’ exhibition gives Hanady Al-Othman the platform to express her artistic flair, and with W Doha continually seeking to support fresh talents such as Al-Jufairi, the hotel’s Art29, is the ideal gallery location to present such a contemporary and forward-thinking event. General Manager of W Doha, Wassim Daaje said:
It is another exciting time for W Doha and ART29 as we provide a creative space for the most heartfelt duo – mother and son, to showcase their work to the local community. Their undeniable connection and passion is clearly evident through their art, and truly shows their passion to communicate with people through their artistic pieces.’
Following on from this, Al-Othman states that:
This is my first exhibition, and I want to use this to show that it is never too late to make your dreams come true’.
The exhibition remains open to the public until 27 August, from 10 am to 10 pm daily. ART29 is located on the 29th Floor at W Doha.
Related Link:
https://marhaba.qa/event/perfect-duet/