Art Basel Qatar has concluded its inaugural edition after a week-long programme of exhibitions, performances, and cultural encounters across Doha. Led by artistic director Wael Shawky and guided by the theme Becoming, the fair unfolded across M7 – Msheireb Cultural Forum and the Doha Design District, with public interventions activating Msheireb Downtown Doha.
The city itself became part of the experience, beginning with a surprise opening by artist Jenny Holzer at the Museum of Islamic Art, where large-scale text projections and a choreographed drone performance illuminated the night sky. Across Msheireb Downtown Doha, nine Special Projects extended the fair into public spaces through installations and live performances.
Inside the fair, 87 galleries showcased artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia alongside prominent international voices, encouraging cross-generational and cross-cultural dialogue. The Conversations talks programme, co-presented with Qatar Creates Talks, brought together artists, curators, and cultural leaders, including Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Glenn Lowry, and Sumayya Vally.
Additional events and creative interventions throughout the week—from culinary collaborations by food artist Laila Gohar to Qatar-inspired merchandise and custom-designed uniforms by Qatari artist Bouthayna Al Muftah—added to the immersive experience. Together, these moments marked the launch of Art Basel Qatar as a new platform for artistic exchange and public engagement in the Gulf.
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