documentary film about the work of celebrated Qatari artist Dr Wafa Al Hamad and the launching of an exhibition highlighting her achievements was screened for the first time at Qatar University (QU). The 45-minute film, by QU-based producer and director Ahmed Selim, takes its inspiration for the title The Painter In the Ocean from one of the late Dr Wafa’s most well-known paintings Dream and the Ocean. Dr Wafa died in 2012 after a five-year battle with cancer, but during her lifetime was one of Qatar’s most renowned artists, holding numerous exhibitions locally, regionally and across the world and was famous for her combination of her rendition of the old world with modern techniques and perspectives. After graduating from QU, she pursued a career in fine arts, returning to the university in 2000 as Assistant Professor of Art Education. A retrospective exhibition of the highlights of her work was launched in March this year. The first exhibition since her death, it tied in with QU’s first alumni reunion day, celebrating the achievements of its 30,000 alumni. The film charts the preparations by the university’s Alumni Relations team, leading up to the exhibition A Glance Into the Past, and its official launch. It features interviews with Dr Wafa’s family, including her brother Abdullah, and the QU community and captures the spirit of the artist’s work while giving a glimpse into the amazing work being done by QU alumni in all walks of life. Filmmaker Ahmed said: “The film was inspired by one of Dr Wafa’s most famous artworks, which is such a deep painting — the more you look at it, the more you see. It pulls you in to a story which has so much going on, and that seemed an appropriate way of also showing the reunion of alumni. “The theme of the film is ‘art lives’ — it shows the immortality of art and its longevity, after a person passes away. “In the film, you meet the people who knew her — her family, sons, friends and they speak about her art in very tender moments. “Ultimately, I hope it’s an uplifting film. If someone has spent their life involved in something that will live on after they have gone, then that has been a life well lived.” Alumni and Partner Relations Manager Rana Al Falasi said: “Dr Wafa was such a talented and inspirational woman and we felt that an exhibition of her work encapsulated the best aspects of the university’s alumni, hence the decision to put on the exhibition as part of the reunion. It was an honor working with her family to make this happen and through the film, we hope more people will have the chance to find out about her, her life and her artwork.” Source : Qatar Chronicle

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar