Dr. Hafez Ali (left), Msheireb Museums Director, Qatari artist Youssef Ahmed (third right) and other officials at the launch of “When I Remember the Past” exhibition book yesterday at Msheireb Museums.
Msheireb Museums launched yesterday the documentation book for “When I Remember the Past,” an ongoing exhibition by prominent Qatari artist Youssef Ahmed, at Mohammed Bin Jassem House.
Inspired by Marzook Bashir’s poem titled “When I Remember the Past,” the 34 paintings on show were created by the artist in a span of one year. The works exhibited reveal the artist’s unique use of materials he developed through experimentation such as producing colours from palm leaves, dust, and sand, further enhancing local colour and identity of his works.
The book launched yesterday includes the uniquely designed and illustrated exhibition portraits. A distinct feature of the book is the presence of QR code which when scanned by phone provides readers an interactive experience as well as installations and videos to watch. The book makes a useful reference and resource for artists and researchers on the exhibition and works of the pioneering Arab contemporary artist as well as documents a crucial period in Qatar’s history. The portraits describe Qatar’s old neighbourhood, such as Msheireb and Aljasra, and function as a visual reference for current and future generations.
“We are proud of our artist Youssef Ahmed and his valuable portraits and happy to host his exhibition at Msheireb Museums. Today, we launch this book that documents the exhibition and paintings to act as an important reference for artists and researchers. This is part of our mission in preserving our heritage in a professional and modern way, through using advanced technology to enable readers to have an immersive interactive experience and watch videos and images,” Dr. Hafez Ali, Msheireb Museums Director, said while speaking at the launch event attended by VIP guests and media.
Ahmed said: “I thank Msheireb Museums and Qatar Art Center for their support in presenting the exhibition and the book. I also appreciate the collaboration with the poet Marzouq Bashir, as we complemented each other in reaffirming the meaning of the word through paintings and visuals. I believe this is one of the most successful exhibitions in my career, as it was capable of interpreting words through paintings to the audience.”
One of the leading Qatari artists documenting the progress of Qatari art, Youssef Ahmed has contributed in a big way in supporting the art movement in Qatar and the Arab world. He is one of the 44 Arab leaders in modern art whose biographies have been included in Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World. His works are owned by some of the most renowned international museums as well as displayed by prestigious galleries, auction houses, and art companies around the world.
