Doha:Qatar Museums has unveiled the program for the first Rubaiya Qatar, an international visual arts quadrennial set to run from November 21, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event, organized by ALRIWAQ Arts + Architecture under the patronage of HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, aims to inspire and empower new generations of artists and thinkers through Qatar's vibrant cultural scene.
The quadrennial will feature events at various venues, including ALRIWAQ Arts + Architecture, the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara QM Gallery, Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, and public spaces throughout Qatar. The program explores global environmental issues and the socio-economic and cultural significance of water, highlighting Qatar's maritime heritage. It will showcase the work of over 120 artists from more than 45 countries.
HE Deputy CEO of Qatar Museums for ALRIWAQ, Public Art and Rubaiya Qatar, Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, emphasized the initiative's role in fostering artistic research and innovation, while Director of Rubaiya Qatar, Sheikha Al Anoud Al-Thani, noted the event's significance in positioning Doha as a hub for contemporary art.
The flagship exhibition, "Unruly Waters," curated by Tom Eccles and others, will open on November 21. It will explore the interplay between water and humanity and feature new commissions by artists such as Bani Abidi, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, and Alia Farid. The exhibition will include films, sculptures, and historical artefacts, including pieces from the 10th-century Cirebon shipwreck.
Another exhibition, "Our Common Currents," will open at Katara QM Gallery on November 22, examining water's role in daily life and sustainability. Curated by Lina Patmali, it will feature new commissions and works by international artists.
"Seething Sea," curated by Wadha Al Aqeedi, will launch at Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art on November 22, highlighting the Gulf's connection to the sea through various artistic mediums.
The program also includes major public art installations at sites across Qatar and complementary activities like artist talks and workshops, bringing together over 130 artists and cultural practitioners from around the world.