Qatari Artist Yousef Ahmad to Showcase New Calligraphy-inspired Exhibition in Japan

A pioneer of the modern art movement in Qatar, Ahmad brings art, history, and society together through his creations. In this series of calligraphy on palm-tree paper, Ahmad and Nishigaki created a unique visual vernacular to imagine the shared history and common artistic interpretations between Japan and Qatar. Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Director of Cultural Diplomacy, Qatar Museums said, “We are particularly honoured to have built long-lasting ties with our very first Years of Culture partner – Japan – that have only grown over the past decade. Respecting and cultivating traditions while embracing modernity is something we share with our Japanese counterparts. We look forward to many more cultural exchanges between the Years of Culture initiative and cultural institutions in Japan.” Together with Nishigaki, who most recently planned the Festival of Kyoto Sento Art and created painted works with Japanese washi paper and sumi ink with the motif of “Godzilla as a Utensil,” the two artists infused Qatari and Japanese calligraphy as an aesthetic element onto the paper to create a series of unique artworks.