The works selected for display at the Definitely Able Art exhibition include a series of new commissions that are inspired by the collections at the Museum of Islamic Art, as well as existing works of art influenced by the characteristics of Islamic Art, design and craft.
Working alongside the British Council’s advisor Sean Williams in London Tony Heaton and Ben Fredericks with Khalifah al Obaidly will take the lead in a multi-faceted approach that will include new commissions created by renowned international artists Juan Delgado, Jason Wilsher-Mills, Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings and inspiring Gulf artists Safiya Bahlani from Oman, and Nouf Yakoub Alkubaisi and Aisha Hassan Khalfani from Qatar. These selected artists came together in Doha from January 27th to February 10th 2015 to take part in a research visit to the Museum of Islamic Art. The artists explored the collections of the Museum and learn more about each other’s culture and inspirations. The primary aims of the research visit to Qatar is to introduce the artists to the principles, techniques and themes of Islamic art and also for them to familiarize themselves with the collections in the Museum of Islamic Art as well as the city of Doha. The research visit is designed to aid the artists in responding to their commissions and they will be encouraged to apply ideas and techniques in the work they create which will be inspired by Islamic Art and the Museum’s collection itself. At the end of the visit the artists would be able to create new art pieces specifically for display in the March 2015 exhibition, which as a thematic whole makes a positive statement about disabled people having active and influential roles in culture and which includes work inspired by Islamic art. The new, commissioned works will serve to connect these two key themes of the exhibition and will be the cornerstones of the exhibition.
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) itself represents Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years. MIA is the flagship of Qatar Museums which, under the leadership of its Chairperson H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, is transforming the State of Qatar into a cultural capital of the Middle East.