About the Exhibition
Wafa al-Hamad (1964 Doha – 2012 Heidelberg), a Qatari artist, designer and educator, was part of the first generation of female artists who took part in the modern and contemporary art scene in Qatar. Her artistic journey began in the 1980s at Al-Marsam Al-Hurr (The Free Atelier), where she was among the first young women to study and exhibit. She went on to earn a BA in Art Education at Qatar University, becoming one of the first two women to graduate from the department in 1986. During this time, she joined the Qatar Fine Arts Association and participated in regional exhibitions. Her studies in classical realism and impressionism evolved during her pursuit of a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in 1998, making her as one of the first Qatari women to earn a doctorate in the arts. These experiences shaped her distinctive artistic vocabulary.
Al-Hamad’s work, often featuring dream-like optical illusions, meditative abstraction, and coral-inspired shapes, reflects a hybrid interpretation of identity, blending local and global aesthetic sensibilities. These elements create new realms where ancestral references intertwine with contemporary modes of expression. As an art educator at Qatar University, al-Hamad’s deep interest in history and tradition drove her to experiment with colour theory and art technology, using them as narrative tools.
The artist’s practice offers a vibrant interpretation of Gulf modernism through abstraction, blending geometry and bold colours to express spirituality, and cultural memory. In The Tower of Barzan (1985), she layers a traditional landscape with textured brushstrokes and bold purple hues, setting her vision apart from her peers. This work as well as Khidaa al-Basar (1985) bridge physical and spiritual spaces, presenting transformative views of perception. Another notable piece, Henna Night (1992), transforms a celebratory ritual into a semi-abstract scene, evoking community spirit through textured light and movement, with dreamlike figures recalling surrealism.
Spanning four decades, Sites of Imagination features 23 pieces from Mathaf’s permanent collection, including watercolours, oil paintings, woodwork, and archival materials, alongside reproductions and loans. The exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: the first celebrates al-Hamad's pioneering work with optical illusions and multimedia; the second reflects her engagement with cultural memory and ancestral traditions; whilst the third positions her work within Arab modernism, drawing parallels between her contributions and those of contemporaries like Samia Halaby, Balqees Fakhro, and Thuraya al-Baqsami.
Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination marks the first solo exhibition dedicated to al-Hamad, celebrating her life as a visionary artist and educator. It offers a comprehensive exploration of her creative journey and legacy, highlighting her role in shaping modern Gulf art.
About the Artist
Wafa al-Hamad (1964 Doha – 2012 Heidelberg) was a pioneering Qatari artist, whose work bridged modernist abstraction, cultural memory and personal expression. Born in Doha, al-Hamad transformed local scenes and figures into abstract geometric and calligraphic forms, exploring themes of heritage, spirituality, and cultural identity. Her unique visual language blended Islamic art traditions with contemporary experimentation.
The artist’s early education began at Al-Marsam Al-Hurr (The Free Atelier) in Doha (1981–1985), where she was among the first young women to participate in its activities. There, she studied under Egyptian artists Jamal Qutub and others, who influenced her early surrealist landscapes. Al-Hamad also joined the Qatar Fine Arts Association (QFAA) in the mid-1980s, participating in local and regional exhibitions. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Qatar University in 1986, becoming one of the first women to graduate from the department, a significant achievement that inspired future generations of women artists and educators in Qatar.
Al-Hamad pursued further studies abroad, earning a Master of Fine Arts from Eastern Michigan University in 1991 and a Ph.D. in Art Education from the University of North Texas in 1998. Her time in the U.S. deepened her exploration of colour theory, geometric abstraction, and optical illusions, which would become defining features of her practice. Returning to Qatar, she taught at Qatar University from 2000 to 2011, where she mentored a new generation of artists while continuing to develop her distinctive artistic style. Her work, which integrated Islamic art, Gulf heritage, and Arabic proverbs, sought to create “portals into Gulf cultures,” integrating them as visual metaphors, exploring the interplay of tradition and modernity.
Al-Hamad’s notable exhibitions include her first solo show with the QFAA (1988, Sheraton Hotel, Doha) and Abak Min Al Madi: Wafa al-Hamad (2013, Qatar University, Doha). Regionally, she participated in the Sharjah Biennale 4 (1999, Sharjah, UAE), The 1st Arab Women Artists Exhibition (1996, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah, UAE), and 6 Khaleeji Women (1994, Sharjah Palace of Culture, formerly the Cultural Center, Sharjah, UAE). Internationally, her work has been featured in the Arab Artists Exhibition (2004, Rome, Italy). Her contributions to Qatari art are reflected in exhibitions like Swalif: Qatari Art Between Memory and Modernity (2014, Mathaf, Doha) and Lived Forward: Art and Culture in Doha from 1960–2020 (2020, Mathaf, Doha).
