Doha: Art investors, collectors, and founders of auction houses and art galleries in Qatar affirmed the Doha’s distinguished role as a hub for auctions for precious collectibles, in parallel with its role as a global capital for major cultural, sports and economic conferences and events.
They described to QNA how that role serves the country’s cultural renaissance, as well as Doha’s ability to attract international auctions and art collectors from the region. They also stressed that artwork was a solid investment, thanks to its ability to maintain its value regardless of the economic climate.
Tariq Al Jaidah, founder of Katara Art Center and Eiwan Al Gassar Gallery, told QNA that Doha is one of the world’s most important capitals in terms of hosting regional and international events. He highlighted hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as the biggest evidence of that. He stressed that arts and culture in the country are part of that wider movement in the state, which led to the establishment of a strong cultural base and growing momentum in the local art scene. He said that all these factors combined attracted international auction houses and galleries to take part in that growing movement.
He added that all these factors contributed to attracting Doha to the role of global auctions and international galleries, and to a large number of artists and creators from different countries of the world, to be part of this accumulated cultural and artistic movement. He highlighted that this culminated in the Katara Art Centre hosting some of Sotheby’s auctions in 2014 and 2015.
For his part Abdulsalam Abou Eissa, who is an art investor and founder of AlBahie Auction House, said that Doha was a big hub for the Arab and international art market thanks to the many events and activities the city hosts. He added that AlBahie Auction House plays a role in raising awareness about modern and Islamic art.
For her part, the founder and owner of Anima Gallery Ghada Al Sholy, said, the vitality of the art market in Doha, and how it is keeping up with global developments in economy and technology. Al Sholy added that Anima Gallery is keen on enriching this experience through programs, exhibitions and projects, as well as meeting the aspirations of art collectors in Qatar, to get in touch with art icons from around the world and acquire their work, in addition to promoting its own collection with major works of fine art artists and visual arts creators.
Al Sholy confirmed the Anima Gallery's success in getting in touch with senior artists from around the world, and building bridges of communication with them via social media platforms, giving those interested in fine and visual arts the opportunity to follow and listen to the experiences of artists with social distancing and quarantine.
