Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is a museum in Doha, Qatar, that explores and celebrates modern and contemporary art from the Arab world. It was founded in 2010 and is part of Qatar Museums. The museum's collection comprises over 9,000 artworks, making it the world's largest specialised collection of its kind.

Mathaf's permanent collection is divided into three main thematic areas:

1. Modern Art (1870-1960):

This section of the collection focuses on the development of modern art in the Arab world, from its early beginnings in the late 19th century to the 1960s. It includes works by some of the most important Arab artists of this period, such as Mahmoud Saïd, Hassan El-Shaikh, and Jamil Hamdan.

Contemporary Art (1960-Present):

This section of the collection showcases the development of contemporary art in the Arab world from the 1960s to the present day. It includes works by a wide range of artists, from those who work in traditional media to those who use more experimental forms.

Art of the Arab Diaspora:

This section of the collection features works by Arab artists who live and work outside of the Arab world. It includes works by artists from all over the world, including the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Mathaf is a major cultural institution in Qatar and the Arab world. It is a place where people can come to learn about the history and development of modern and contemporary art from the Arab world, and to engage with the work of some of the most important artists from the region.

Mathaf is located in Education City, a sprawling educational complex in Doha. The museum is housed in a former school building that was renovated in 2010. The building's architecture is inspired by traditional Arab courtyard houses, and it features a number of skylights that provide natural light to the galleries.

Mathaf is a must-visit for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art from the Arab world. The museum's collection is world-class, and its educational programs and public events are designed to engage visitors of all ages.

Here are some other interesting facts about Mathaf:

• The museum's name means "The Repository" in Arabic.
• The museum's building was formerly a school, and it was renovated to house the museum's collection.
• Mathaf has a library that specializes in modern and contemporary art from the Arab world.
• The museum offers a variety of educational programs for children and adults.
• Mathaf has hosted a number of high-profile exhibitions, including "The Road to Revolution: Art and the Arab Spring" (2012) and "Picasso and the Moderns in the Arab World" (2015).

If you are interested in modern and contemporary art from the Arab world, then Mathaf is a must-visit destination. The museum's collection is world-class, and its educational programs are excellent. I highly recommend visiting Mathaf if you are ever in Doha.

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