The Years of Culture initiative announced the upcoming "Dialogue of Papers" exhibition opening in Jakarta, a remarkable artistic endeavor that encapsulates the deep cultural connection shared between Qatar and Indonesia. Taking place at the Emiria Soenassa Gallery, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) Jakarta from November 25 to December 16, 2023, the exhibition is organized as part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture and delves into the intricate relationship between the two countries through the medium of papermaking. This cultural dialogue is portrayed through collaborative artworks that brought together two exceptional artists: Qatari artist, Mr. Yousef Ahmad, and Indonesian artist, Mr. Widi Pangestu.

Curated by Years of Culture Senior Museums Expert Dr. Aisha Al Misnad, the "Dialogue of Papers"exhibition showcases the results of a collaborative workshop held in Qatar, where Yousef Ahmad and Widi Pangestu combined the unique natural elements of both countries. This collaboration involved the fusion of palm tree pulp from Qatar with abaca and mulberry pulps from Indonesia, resulting in 36 artworks that will be on display at the Emiria Soenassa Gallery.

“The Dialogue of Papers concept is a legacy borne out of Year of Culture’s partnership with Japan. We were thrilled to be able to host Mr. Widi Pangestu in Doha for workshops with Mr. Yusuf Ahmad. The resulting artworks offer a captivating exploration of concepts such as fullness and emptiness, differences and similarities, and the power of dialogue through shared creativity. It is a visual representation of the profound connection between Qatar and Indonesia, transcending geographic boundaries through art,” said Dr. Aisha Al Misnad. 

Mr. Yousef Ahmad and Mr. Widi Pangestu will hold a free public talk at the gallery on Saturday, November 25 at 1 p.m. 

At its core, this exhibition delves into the ways in which distinct environments, landscapes, and climates have influenced the lives and experiences of people in Qatar and Indonesia. Indonesia, an archipelago of lush, green islands, boasts dense forests teeming with plants of diverse shapes and hues. The contrast is stark when compared to Qatar, a peninsula characterized predominantly by a desert landscape, a region initially appearing devoid of flora. However, the desert has generously gifted the palm tree, which has thrived in the face of harsh conditions and limited water resources.

This juxtaposition of the forest and the desert evokes notions of fullness and emptiness, drawing attention to the artistic and creative endeavors of the inhabitants of these distinct environments. Humans have managed to thrive and create in both landscapes, despite their inherent differences and challenges. 

Exhibition Details:

Title: Dialogue of Papers
Dates: November 25 to December 16, 2023
Venue: Emiria Soenassa Gallery, Gedung Ali Sadikin, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta
Admission: Free

About the Artists:

Mr. Yousef Ahmad: Yousef Ahmad is one of the most prominent Qatari artists and he is amongst the first generation of Qatari artists to have studied abroad. He started his artistic career in the 1970s creating artworks by experimenting with different shapes and structures, with the ambition to form new narratives. His interest in working on paper started in the 1980s, and he has since experimented with many types of papers that originate from different places. This influenced him to make his own paper twenty years ago, using Qatar palm trees. Since then, he has come to understand that handmade paper gives his work a more profound meaning and a different visual quality. For him, it is a way to connect with the land of Qatar, his roots, and his personal memories.  

Mr. Widi Pangestu: Widi Pangestu is a pioneer Indonesian artist, whose work is characterized by his use and exploration of papermaking in his artistic practice. Throughout his career, he has focused on paper as the central medium for his productions and reflections, researching and experimenting with its possibilities as a vehicle for meaning making. He sees the potential of paper beyond its historical and traditional function as a medium for writing and painting. For him, papermaking offers a unique, timeless connection that extends from the past all the way to the present, and even towards the future. His unique artworks explore human connections and experiences through the continuous development of papermaking throughout history. 

“Dialogue of Paper” was launched as a legacy project of the Qatar - Japan Year of Culture, an exhibition organized to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. This recurring exhibition has now become one of the initiative’s key annual events as a residency for international artists from partnering countries.

Years of Culture was established in 2012 by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to promote mutual understanding, recognition, and appreciation between Qatar and the world. Since then, the Years of Culture program has been remarkably successful in its mission, partnering with the UK, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, India, France, and other nations over the past decade.