Analysis out of the box

The keys to understanding the art scene in Qatar

Analysis out of the boxArt Market | In the 1940s, the discovery of oil transformed Qatar’s pearling economy into a global one. Nowadays, the Emirate has adopted a development strategy similar to that of a multinational company; it focuses on transforming the oil and gas rents into financial ones through diversified global investments, which have drastically increased since 2011. Contemporary art domain holds a key position in Qatar’s overall strategy at the crossroads between culture and influence.

Exterior of Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall, Doha, Qatar © Artwork ©Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Photo by GION
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Exterior of Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall, Doha, Qatar
© Artwork ©Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Photo by GION

Key economic and geopolitical considerations

This small peninsula is situated in the Persian Gulf, neighboring Saudi Arabia and facing Iran; it has approximately 2 million inhabitants,88% of which are expatriate workers (in Le dessous des cartes, Arte). Thus, Qatari citizens represent a mere 12% of the population and benefit from privileged conditions such as free education, electricity and gas.
The country’s regime has survived many coups and, since the mid-20th century, absolute power remains in the hands of the Al-Thani family. In June 2013 the Emir Hamad Al-Thani abdicated, his son Crown Prince Tamim Al-Thani succeeded him, marking a break with the previous diplomatic strategy and isolating the country from its […]

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Exterior of Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall, Doha, Qatar © Artwork ©Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Photo by GION The Fire Station © Courtesy the Qatar Museums Authority, Doha The Fire Station © Photo courtesy Qatar Museums Museum of Islamic Art © Photo copyright Iwan Baan Museum of Islamic Art © Photo copyright Iwan Baan MATHAF © Courtesy Qatar Museum Authority Damien Hirst - Relics - Alriwaq Doha © qatar museums authority

Exterior of Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall, Doha, Qatar
© Artwork ©Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Photo by GION

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