Ghada Al Khater, a Qatari political ARToonist who gained recognition and praise for her blockade-inspired art, has successfully completed a three-month residency programme at the renowned Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, one of the biggest and most important art residencies in the world. The Paris Residency is an extension of the Fire Station: Artist in Residence programme in Doha under Qatar Museums (QM).
To celebrate her accomplishments, Ghada recently hosted an exhibition at the Doha Fire Station where she met with members of the public to share her experiences in Paris and learn about her latest projects. Accompanying the public session, the Fire Station is hosting an exhibition to showcase the artworks she created during her time in Paris. One of her most recent works is ‘Blockade: Energy Drink’, a humorous take on how the blockade motivated the country to move forward and rely on its own people.
Ghada is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar with a BFA in Graphic Design. She tackles subjects such as freedom of speech and fake news, topics which have come to prominence since the diplomatic and economic blockade on Qatar. Two of her ARToons ‘Tamim Kg’ and ‘Aljazeera’ have gained recognition and resonance throughout social media in Qatar last year.
Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director of the Doha Fire Station, said they have watched Ghada’s work with great interest and delight. Her pieces are smart and funny, resonating with public sentiments, encapsulating so much of what people want to say in striking imagery.
Ghada is the fourth Qatari artist to work in Paris under QM’s residency initiative, following three spectacular showcases from Ebtisam Al Saffar, Nasser Al Attiya and Abdulla Al Kuwari who also hosted open studios at the Cité Internationale des Arts and the Doha Fire Station.
The Qatari Art Residency Programme is a recurring three-month residency open to all Qatari artists, and provides one talented individual with studio accommodation space and the chance to be fully immersed in the Paris’ art and culture scene.
Follow @dohafirestation for more information on the Fire Station’s latest programmes and events.