""I am an unconventional choice," the Egyptian artist Wael Shawky told The Art Newspaper last year when he was announced to be the artistic director of the inaugural Art Basel Qatar. Indeed, it is unusual for an art fair to be curated in this way, especially by a highly successful artist like Shawky. He represented Egypt at the 2024 Venice Biennale and has had solo exhibitions at Tate Modern, Mathaf, MoMA PS1 and many other major institutions. But Shawky has increasing knowledge of and involvement in Qatar's art scene; he was appointed the artistic director of the Fire Station contemporary art space in Doha in 2024."
"Sfeir-Semler Gallery presents a selection of works by Marwan (1934-2016) that trace the evolution of his practice from the 1960s to the 1980s, culminating in his iconic Heads: meditative studies of interiority rendered in oil and watercolour. These portraits function as encounters with the human soul, transcending geographic or historical boundaries. David Zwirner presents four major paintings from Marlene Dumas's Against the Wall series (2009-10). Based on media images of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the works explore contested meaning, shifting borders and the instability of identity shaped by conflict and memory."
Wael Shawky was named artistic director of the inaugural Art Basel Qatar, an atypical choice as a prominent practicing artist. Shawky represented Egypt at the 2024 Venice Biennale and has held solo exhibitions at Tate Modern, Mathaf and MoMA PS1. Shawky was also appointed artistic director of the Fire Station contemporary art space in Doha in 2024. Exhibitions and presentations at the fair include Almine Rech showing Ali Cherri's works on becoming animal; Sfeir-Semler Gallery presenting Marwan's Heads and studies; David Zwirner showing Marlene Dumas's Against the Wall paintings; and Gallery Isabelle dedicating a presentation to Hassan Sharif. October Gallery, London lists El Anatsui among its presence.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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