Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Fire Station: Artist in Residence kicked off two exhibitions titled ‘Neighbours of the Sea’ and ‘Etheralscape’, by current and former Fire Station residents, on display from June 5 until August 17, 2024 at Gallery 3 and Gallery 4 at Fire Station. These exhibitions are part of the Fire Station’s Artists in Residence and Ruwad in Residence programmes (2021-2023), which aim to foster local talent through production support, curatorial guidance, and expert mentorship. ‘Neighbours of the Sea’, a collaborative exhibition by renowned Qatari artists Wafika Sultan Al-Issa and Hassan Al-Mulla, will showcase over 30 mixed-media paintings that delve into the profound connection between the artists’ inner worlds and their environment, society, and heritage.
This exhibition will highlight how their creative expressions intersect, despite differing artistic styles, by drawing from the rich cultural tapestry and unique environmental landscape of Qatar. Their art takes the local environment and cultural heritage as a shared source of inspiration, reflecting the influence of the desert and sea on Qatari life, urbanism, and traditions. Wafika Sultan Al-Essa, a resident in Fire Stations’ Ruwad in Residence programme (2021-2023) and a Qatari visual artist since 1972, is a founding member of the Qatar Fine Arts Association and one of the pioneers of art in Qatar.
Hassan Al-Mulla, another resident in Fire Stations’ Ruwad in Residence progr.