[ad_1]
As Art Basel comes to town, the Qatari capital is maturing as both a cultural and luxury destination, writes Georgia Lewis
The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty
Doha, capital of Qatar, has been quietly and elegantly evolving. Its art scene is a case in point: previously driven by stalwarts such as the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, from February 5-7 the debut Art Basel Qatar will bring international artists and galleries to town.
The event aims to be “globally resonant and locally rooted,” says Vincenzo de Bellis, chief artistic officer and global director of Art Basel fairs. “The combination of world-class cultural institutions in development, expanding creative areas, such as the Doha Design District, and a growing emphasis on regional voices and experimentation all signal the city’s evolution as a major arts destination,” de Bellis says.
Forthcoming cultural attractions include the Herzog & de Meuron-designed Lusail Museum, due to open on Al Maha Island in 2029, and the Art Mill Museum, which will show international modern and contemporary art in a former flour mill on Doha’s waterfront Corniche from 2030.
Giardino Villas, The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty
Meanwhile, smaller galleries and entrepreneurial local artists are bringing new ideas to life with exciting and challenging works. Abdulaziz Yousef is an artist who embodies this new spirit and whose nostalgia-themed street art can be seen across Doha, such as the emotive “Family Reunion” displayed at the Msheireb Metro Station.
Yousef says his street art conveys his ideas on culture, family and community. “That’s very important, especially when only a few graffiti artists in Doha represent the visual identity of the country,” he says.
As well as his street art, he has exhibited at independent galleries, such as Al Markhiya and Anima, which is located on The Pearl. This exclusive residential island is emblematic of Doha’s premium property market. Qatar’s permanent residency visa scheme, for those spending more than US$1M on real estate, is helping to fuel demand in prestigious neighborhoods.
The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty
An Arabesque-style nine-bedroom home overlooking the Arabian Gulf, known as a “Royal Palace,” epitomises Qatari opulence. Meanwhile, a six-bedroom villa with private gym, pool and in-house elevator offers more contemporary luxury.
The city’s culinary landscape has developed alongside the cultural scene and residential offering. “I moved to Qatar in 2007, and it’s no exaggeration to say the dining scene has transformed in that period,” says Doha-based Australian food writer Rachel Morris. “Back then, there were a handful of high-end but nondescript hotel restaurants, some Arabic and Indian eateries and a few Italian places. Today, you can dine around the world in one day, reflecting the diversity of Qatar’s population and the visitors it now draws.”
The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty
Morris says Doha’s culinary turning point came in the mid-2000s, with the opening of Alain Ducasse’s IDAM, at the Museum of Islamic Art on the Corniche, and Nobu. “Both demonstrated you can sustain high-end cuisine in Qatar. I love IDAM for its creativity and Nobu for its location and consistency.”
Rated newcomers include Koo Madame, which opened last year at the Rosewood Doha. “You will find impeccable interpretations of Cantonese classics and well-honed service,” says Morris.
La Méditerranée, a signature Joël Robuchon restaurant, is among the premium amenities available at Four Seasons Private Residences located in The Pearl, where a three-bedroom apartment comes with staff accommodation and spacious ocean-front terraces. Meanwhile, a four-bedroom penthouse in the nearby St Regis Marsa Arabia development with expansive marina views offers minimalist elegance and resident access to 12 restaurants, as well as fitness and wellness facilities.
The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty
Back on the art scene, Yousef is optimistic. “The new generation has a different perspective of what art is, so maybe we’ll see some movement that is as big as postmodernism changing things—not removing or overwriting, but bringing new things to the art world, breaking the norms. I can’t wait to see how other artists surprise us.”
Read more about Qatar and other global lifestyle destinations in our 2026 guide
[ad_2]
Natalie Davis
Source link