The Fire Station opened an exhibition by Qatar-based artist, Jesse Payne, titled “One Dust”. The exhibition, open until the 17^th of January from 9am to 7pm, is inspired by the sand storms that occasionally take place in Qatar and is the latest initiative by the Fire Station to create a hub for art and culture in the country.

“One Dust” is a series of works that recreate the overwhelming sense of power and scale that sand storms possess, exploring both the fascination and fear brought forth by this natural phenomenon and emphasizing the idea that we all come from one “dust”. Going beyond its literal meaning, Payne uses dust as a metaphor for the obstacles and challenges that the region is facing during these tumultuous times. His brush strokes paint a picture of chaos, confusion and beauty of a region consumed by its own “dust”. In and amongst this, he invites the viewers to embrace that “dust”, to accept one another and to look forward for hope and a better tomorrow.

Payne is an American artist who is currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Art Foundations Department at Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar. Dedicated to employing a rigorous tactic when amplifying his creative interests and working with a variety of mediums, Payne’s work is a reflection of self-investigation and is influenced by the environment, people, and experiences he encounters in day-to-day life.

Payne is currently a member of the 2018-2019 Artist in Residence programme. Launched in 2015, the nine-month programme is open to all Qatar-based artists and has grown become a platform for artistic expression and growth. It provides artists in Qatar with the opportunity to develop their art practices and showcase their works to the world through media coverage, open studio nights, and a large exhibition at the end of the residency. During their residency, artists have access to their own studio space and can participate in networking sessions, collaborate with other artists, meet with mentors, attend monthly talks and events, workshops, and engage in community projects. For more information about Fire Station and its activities, please visit www.firestation.org.qa.

Under the patronage of its Chairperson, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Museums plays an instrumental role in the continued development of Qatar as a vibrant centre for the arts, culture and education in the Middle East and internationally. For more information, please visit: https://www.qm.org.qa/en/about-us

Source: Press Release

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