Qatar Museums has announced its participation in the 15th Gwangju Biennale, marking the debut of the standalone Qatar Pavilion at South Korea’s oldest contemporary art biennale.
Curated by the National Museum of Qatar, the exhibition will be the sole Arab representative to host a pavilion this year, showcasing the inaugural exhibition Knock, Rain, Knock. The exhibition explores rain in Qatar by examining its cultural significance, spiritual meanings, and environmental impact. Featuring newly commissioned works by seven Qatari and Qatar-based artists, the exhibition is anchored in the theme of Salat al istisqaa’ – a prayer for rain during drought.
Through the lens of this traditional practice, the exhibition confronts contemporary issues such as climate change, desertification, and the profound symbolism of water in Arab and Islamic traditions. The Pavilion invites global audiences to witness how Qatar’s rich heritage influences modern artistic dialogues on environmental sustainability, resonating with Qatar’s 2030 Vision for Environmental Development.
The featured artists are Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Farah Al Sidiky, Fatima Abbas, Guillaume Rouseré, Nada El Kharashi, Hind Al Saad and Sara Al Naimi.
The Pavilion will be hosted at Art Hall in Gwangju Bank HQ and will run for the duration of the Biennale.
Gwangju Biennale runs from 7 September until 1 December 2024
