DOHA: Works by Qatari and Turkish photographers are featured at the “Artistic Journeys: New Angles; New Perspectives,” an exhibition recently launched in Katara as part of Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture.
The exhibition showcases the best works from Qatari and Turkish photographers Sara Al Obaidly, Saleh Al Marri, Ali Muhammet Bayraktariglu and Hasan Yelken.
In collaboration with the Qatar Photographic Society (QPS), the Ministry of Culture and See My Culture, and sponsored by Exxonmobil, Qatar Airways and W Doha, Qatar Turkey 2015 sent two Qatari photographers on a two-week expedition across Turkey to photograph its landscapes, people, food, culture, and tourist attractions. The aim was to capture the essence of Turkey through Qatari eyes. In turn, two Turkish photographers were invited to journey across the Arabian Peninsula to experience Qatar through Turkish eyes.
The photographers were encouraged to interact with the locals, learn from them and document their experiences via social media. The exhibition showcases the best photographs taken during both trips.
“From Qatar I’m taking back to Turkey with me some great friendships. I was not sure about Arabic culture before. What I knew is what I read. But living a culture teaches people a lot. From now on, Qatar is the pearl of the Gulf to me,” said Bayraktariglu.
Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Demirkan opened the month-long expo on Tuesday.
“This year gives a great opportunity to release the potential in cultural and social fields and to cement our relations at grassroots level. I see with great pleasure that Turkish and Qatari people are getting more and more interested to know each other. Given all these positive frames, I believe there is a lot to share and cooperate between our brotherly countries; therefore we will need to work harder to catch our potential. And our doors are always wide open to our Qatari brothers and sisters,” said Ambassador Demirkan
Safiya Saif Al Hajari, Director of Strategic Cultural Relations at Qatar Museums, said: “We are delighted to host this exhibition, which highlights the role for art and culture in deepening awareness and understanding between nations.”
The exhibition will run from until September 30 at the Qatar photographic Society Gallery, Building 18 in Katara.
The Peninsula
