| Issue 6
Fatma Al Shebani
How tradition has
taken centre stage in
contemporary art
Challenging, reverential and pioneering in equal
measure, Fatma Al Shebani uses traditional Qatari
motifs to create art in a modern setting.
Can you tell us about your journey as an artist?
I like to believe that art chose me. Ever since I was a little
girl, I had big questions about the nature of the world,
wondering what God has created. I grew up watching
this world in deep silence with a big appetite for the
amazing colours that life has to offer.
At university, I turned my dreams and visions into
physical sculptures and paintings. I have run exhibitions
across the Arab world, and internationally from London
to New York to Paris.
What has been your proudest moment since
your career began?
Painting graffiti on the West Bank wall, along with
my solo exhibition in Bethlehem in 2013. I interacted
with the people living in Palestine, and hope that I
have changed the way others think – and even perhaps
encouraged other artists to follow in my footsteps.
Another proud moment was when my first sculptures
were erected in public squares in Qatar.
Much of your art integrates traditional Qatari
culture into a modern setting. Why is this
important?
I am a rebel when it comes to art, innovation and
creating new things. Most of my artwork has come from
traditional concepts because I believe that through this
kind of artwork, the younger generations in Qatar will
still be able to visualise the culture of the past. Even now
that we are living in the modern age, I hope it can still be
preserved and valued.
| Batoula by Fatma Al Shebani
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