Bothayna Al Muftah’s latest composition depicts a passage through time, conveyed in a series of artworks–Fataraat (Phases), In'ekas (Introspection), and a breathtaking large-scale tapestry named Yeebhom (Bring Them Back). The tapestry is a legacy project which was produced in collaboration with the world-renowned La Cité internationale de la tapisserie in Aubusson. Born out of the relationship established during the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, the tapestry serves as a commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and France. The unique artwork blends French Traditional and Qatari Contemporary influences, inviting the viewer to discover traditional weaving craftsmanship through the lens of a contemporary artist.

The core inspiration behind Al Muftah’s artistic production is Qatar’s deep-seated cultural heritage. Her art borrows elements from the people of Qatar’s oral history and folklore and readapts them to reflect her relationship with her land’s past. Deeply fascinated by the collective memory of her country, Al Muftah’s research focuses on old neighborhoods of Qatar, and the key figures who shaped them. In an attempt to resuscitate and reconstruct pivotal moments from history into a contemporary setting, she lifts characters and stories from these communities, and locates them in her own universe through her art. Al Muftah gradually turned to conceptual bookbinding as a means of expressing her understanding of Qatar’s past.

Source and cover image credit: Press release

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Cassandra Pallagud

Content Writer

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