Qatari artists Wafika Sultan Al-Essa and Hassan Al-Mulla first to participate in the latest edition

 The Fire Station has announced the latest edition of its Ruwad Artist in Residence program, an initiative to support pioneering Qatari and resident artists. Qatari artists Wafika Sultan Al-Essa and Hassan Al-Mulla are the first artists to participate in this year’s program.Ruwad is a continuation of the residency program that supported Qatari artist Faraj Daham from 2017 to 2020. The initiative aims to facilitate communication between local artists in Qatar who are then able to share their expertise and experiences, provide guidance and constructive feedback, and communicate with the wider community through public programs such as lectures and art workshops.

Mr. Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director, Fire Station, said, “We are pleased to welcome this year’s participants into the Ruwad Artist in Residence program, an initiative that offers an excellent space for them to get to know the new generation and exchange expertise through a more thorough examination and deeper understanding of their experiences. The Ruwad artists will take part in the mentoring program available to participants in the Artist in Residence program, as well as engage with the most prominent local artists who have gained international recognition throughout their rich artistic careers. Participants of the program will receive support to nurture their artistic talents and in turn support Qatar Museums’ efforts to enrich the cultural and artistic landscape in Qatar.”

Commenting on her participation in the program, artist Wafika Sultan Al-Essa said, “I am delighted to be nominated for the Ruwad Artist in Residence program at the Fire Station. The dedicated studio space will enable me to focus on completing my artworks and artistic projects during my stay. As part of the program, I look forward to engaging with artists from various fields as well as members of the community who are passionate about art. This opportunity inspires me to pursue new artistic projects and explore the field of plastic art”.

Al-Essa is a Qatari visual artist and one of the pioneers of art in Qatar. Her work has been exhibited internationally in Kuwait, London, Paris, and Tunisia, and locally at Qatar Museums’ Al-Riwaq Gallery at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Al-Markhiya Gallery, and Al Hosh Gallery, among others.

Artist Hassan Al-Mulla said, “I am pleased and proud of being chosen as an experienced Qatari plastic artist to participate in the Artist in Residence Ruwad program at the Fire Station. This stay will provide me with the support to make progress in advancing my artistic passion while promoting Qatari artists in the local and international scenes.”

Al-Mulla is also a pioneer in the plastic art movement in Qatar.  He has held several personal exhibitions in Qatar, India, and Saudi Arabia. His artworks can be seen in a number of Qatar’s ministries and embassies, as well as at Qatar Museums and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

GO: For more information on Fire Station and the Artist in Residence programs, please visit https://www.firestation.org.qa/