The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has launched Ektashif Al Andalus 2023 – Spain, an art exhibition inspired by the historical landmarks and traditional Islamic art techniques of Spain. Opened by Her Excellency Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, acting CEO of Qatar Museums, the exhibition features works by ten Qatari artists – Fai Abdullah Albuainain, Ghada Alsuwiadi, Rowda Al Suwaidi, Ahmed Nooh, Fatma Almalki, Jaber Henzab, Khalid AlJanahi, Malak Khalid, Kholoud Aldosari and Noora Melhm – who recently visited three cities (Granada, Córdoba and Madrid) in Spain, as part of an educational collaboration between the Museum of Islamic Art and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. 

An annual initiative, the Ektashif trip took participating artists to key historical sites in Granada and Cordoba such as the Alhambra Palace, Patio de los perfumes, Al Aire Institute of Art where the artists learned the techniques and methods of engraving, egg tempera painting and gilding on gypsum, Madinat al-Zahra, and finally Casa Arabe where they participated in a linocut printmaking workshop.

Each artist then had to produce four to five artworks inspired by their visit and take part in a public discussion panel on their creative experiences in Spain. Located at the atrium at the Museum of Islamic Art, the exhibition will be open to the public daily from 9am to 7pm until October 16, 2023.