Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, is making waves in New York’s art scene with his latest curatorial project, as featured in Vogue Arabia. Known for his deep passion for culture, design, and storytelling, Sheikh Mohammed is redefining how Arab identity is represented on the global stage. Through his work with the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art (IAIA), he continues to build bridges between East and West—championing voices from the Arab world while inspiring a new generation of Qatari creatives.

Extracted from Vogue: 

Al-Thani’s mission and motivation for the institute are clear: “Challenging certain narratives and the way people see art is what fuels me,” he explains. Who are the contemporary Arab and Islamic artists, how is their work placed in the context of modern art history, and why are they so unknown? It is staggering that these questions are still embedded in narratives around art, particularly in New York. It is precisely why Al-Thani finds it crucial to initiate conversations and continuously redefine contemporary art history. “Our space becomes an understanding that Arabs and Muslims are very much an active part of modern and contemporary culture. We've always been there. We did not have many platforms to showcase our artists, but now is the time to change that and try to challenge larger museums to showcase more of our artists,” he affirms. One curation, one conversation and one challenge at a time, Al-Thani elevates artists to the calibre of their work.

Al-Thani understands the power of interpersonal connections because they led him to a career in the arts. “14 years ago, before I was introduced to art, it was difficult for contemporary art to move me, let alone minimalism,” he shares. He cites Jeffrey Deitch, Simon Castets, and Veronica Fernandez as among people who were “generous with their time and knowledge” and defined the cardinal directions of his compass early in his career. He reflects on a pivotal memory of breaking fast at a dinner with Deitch during Ramadan, and recognizes that small gestures of humanity are monumental. “Hospitality and being accepting are traditions that are carried through at our institute,” he says. “People who have seen everything, everywhere, are very moved by the space.” Al-Thani sees this intangible yet visceral “feeling” as the access point to the establishment he has built. It is the kind of response to art that renders a person’s background irrelevant, and erases the edges of the mind. 

A member of the royal family, Al-Thani was born and raised in Qatar, before studying at Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, and University of London, Institute in Paris. A true global scholar, Al-Thani’s rigorous intellectual curiosity propels his mind into new spaces. “The freedom of movement is so important,” Al-Thani shares as he discusses how world politics impact people’s ability to travel and by extension, shapes value systems and ethics.

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