Ektashif Uzbekistan: About the Artists
The Qatari artists featured in Ektashif: Uzbekistan present works inspired by their exploration of Uzbekistan’s rich Islamic heritage, traditional arts, and distinctive architecture.
Lina Al Aali is a Qatari artist and author of children's and young adult literature, whose work is inspired by Qatar's cultural heritage. She blends traditional visual elements, Islamic motifs, and heritage references with a contemporary artistic vision. Her practice celebrates women as symbols of memory, identity, and strength, expressed through a refined visual language that bridges authenticity and renewal. Through her exhibitions and cultural initiatives, Al Aali contributes to preserving national identity and inspiring future generations.
Maryam Abel
Maryam Abel's creative journey naturally led her to the world of photography. From an early age, she was drawn to images, particularly those centred around peoples’ faces, stories, and the unspoken language of human emotion. For Abel, photography is more than an act of seeing; it is a profound means of human connection. Each image she captures reflects her fascination with people and the cultures they embody, preserving authentic moments of beauty and humanity through her lens.
Hameed Al Qahtani
Hameed Al Qahtani is a Qatari ceramic artist and mechanical engineer whose practice explores the relationship between material, craftsmanship, and cultural context. Inspired by traditional craft and contemporary design, he approaches ceramics as a medium that unites function with cultural expression.
Through his work, he explores the aesthetic possibilities of materials and techniques, creating pieces that reflect a dialogue between heritage and innovation. His refined forms reveal a deep appreciation for detail, craftsmanship, and the evolving language of ceramics.
Abdulla Fakhroo
Abdulla Fakhroo is a Qatari visual artist and calligrapher with over 25 years of experience. He is the founder of Midad, a luxury jewellery brand, and Bayt Al-Khattateen (House of Calligraphers), reflecting his passion for the aesthetics of Arabic script and visual heritage. His practice explores the intersection of architecture, geometry, and calligraphy, particularlyKuficstyles, reinterpreting traditional forms through a contemporary visual language. His works reveal a refined attention to structure, rhythm, and composition, drawing renewed inspiration from Arab and Islamic heritage.
Ameena Al Boinin
Ameena Al Boinin is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice focuses on immersive installations that explore the expressive possibilities of materials and techniques. Inspired by her heritage and surroundings, she creates works that bring together personal narratives and cultural stories. Through experimentation and material exploration, Al Boinin develops sensory experiences that connect memory, place, and identity. Her work invites audiences to engage with the hidden stories of their environment and reflect on the connections that shape our sense of belonging.
The Nourah
Nourah is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice merges engineering precision with creative exploration. With academic backgrounds in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, and a Master of Science in Infrastructure and Project Management, she brings a distinctive perspective that bridges technical knowledge and artistic vision. Her work explores themes of heritage, science, and artificial intelligence (AI) through digital fabrication and AI-assisted design. Rather than simply revisiting the past, Nourah reimagines it within contemporary contexts, creating a dynamic visual dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Aisha Al Muhannadi
Aisha Al Muhannadi is a Qatari visual artist and the founder and director of Mahara for Creativity and Arts. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Policy, Planning and Development from Qatar University (QU), she draws inspiration from Qatar’s heritage and environment, exploring identity, memory, and belonging through a contemporary visual language that balances authenticity and innovation. Through her exhibitions, Al Muhannadi celebrates Qatari culture, exploring the relationship between people, place, and heritage while viewing art as a bridge between the past and the future.