Katara expo glorifies heroic resistance of Qatar on siege

DOHA: Patriotism through creativity is at the core of two art exhibitions at Katara Cultural Village that mark completion of one year since the unjust siege was imposed on Qatar on June 5 last year.

Portraits, cartoons, paintings, caricatures and photographs are showcased at the exhibitions that present a scathing criticism of the siege countries and patriotic representation of Qatar’s heroic resistance against the blockade.

Ahmed Al Sayed, Deputy General Manager of Katara, opened an exhibition of siege-related cartoons by prominent Qatari cartoonists at Building 5 on Tuesday.

The cartoonists are covering one year of the blockade under the hashtag #QatarForEver. Tariq Al Jaida, Manager of Katara Art Center was also present, among other officials, visitors and dignitaries.

The exhibition being organised by Katara Art Center features a host of cartoons by six prominent Qatari cartoonists that appeared in Qatari newspapers and magazines over the past one year. The cartoonists are Abdul Aziz Sadiq, Saad Al Mohannadi, Salman Al Malik, Rashid Al Kuwari, Abdul Aziz Yousuf, and Mohammed Abdullatif. The exhibition will run for three weeks.

The cartoons on the one hand make harsh sarcasm of the siege countries and their failure to defeat Qatar while on the other hand glorify Qatar’s successful resistance against the blockade.

They make strong political statements about the hypocrisy and oppressive measures of the siege countries against Qatar since the blockade was imposed a year ago.

Another exhibition at Building 18 features portraits of Qatari leaders and paintings and photographs focusing on the blockade. It is distinct with symbolic fences at the entrance of the exhibition hall representing the blockade.

A number of portraits of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani by Qatari artists, depicting him as the icon of Qatari resistance against the siege are on display at the exhibition. It also features portraits of Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and other leaders.

Two artworks done with broken glasses and pieces of wood, woven around a Qatari map, show the resilience of Qatar in the midst of the unjust siege.

A cartoon in colour shows a butterfly coming out of the cocoon of the blockade, indicating that Qatar has become stronger and self-sufficient through the continuing siege.

Several photographs that depict Qatari heritage and monuments and capture moments from the Qatari resistance against the siege are also on display.