Qatar Museums launches its first contemporary art quadrennial: a journey through ecology, history, and globalization that redefines Doha’s role in the global art scene
Qatar is solidifying its position as an international cultural hub. Qatar Museums has officially presented Rubaiya Qatar, a multidisciplinary quadrennial set to debut in November 2026. Developed under the aegis of ALRIWAQ Art + Architecture, the project is more than just an exhibition; it is a dynamic program encompassing residencies, public art, and academic research.
The objective is clear: to create a permanent platform for transnational dialogue. Every four years, the event will explore a specific theme, engaging thinkers and creatives from across the globe to reflect on contemporary challenges.
Unruly Waters: The Liquid Element as a Guide
The beating heart of the inaugural edition will be the major exhibition Unruly Waters. Curated by a high-profile international team, the show investigates water as a connecting element between geography, history, and human activity. Over 50 artists will explore how global networks traverse Asia, positioning Qatar as a fundamental meeting point between diverse cultures.
Within this framework, the ALRIWAQ galleries will host more than 20 new site-specific commissions. Notable names include Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Sophia Al Maria, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. The works will dialogue with historical artifacts, such as treasures recovered from the Cirebon shipwreck, creating a bridge between the ancient Maritime Silk Road and today’s ecological urgencies.
Beyond the Museum: A Distributed Experience
Rubaiya Qatar will not be confined to institutional spaces but will inhabit the entire country. The exhibition Our Common Currents at the QM Katara Gallery will explore the deep bond between the nation and the sea, evoking pearl-diving traditions. Meanwhile, at Mathaf, the Seething Sea showcase will reflect on maritime myths and environmental degradation.
The project also features monumental public art interventions. Works by artists such as Jitish Kallat and Minerva Cuevas will transform the urban landscape, making art accessible to all. In this scenario, exhibition design plays a key role: neutral surfaces and industrial volumes allow multimedia works and sound installations to emerge with force, highlighting the exhibition’s pure and radical aesthetic.
A Manifesto of an “Evolution Nation”
This initiative is part of the Evolution Nation campaign, which celebrates Qatar’s fifty-year cultural journey. Rubaiya Qatar thus represents the culmination of two decades of investment in the arts and education. Through a dialogue between past and future, the quadrennial demonstrates how invention can create real value, transforming Doha into an open-air laboratory where history welcomes the footsteps of a new generation of artists.
- Event: Rubaiya Qatar – First Edition
- Dates: November 2026 to Spring 2027
- Main Exhibition: Unruly Waters at ALRIWAQ Art + Architecture
- Curators: Tom Eccles, Ruba Katrib, Mark Rappolt, Shabbir Hussain Mustafa
- Organization: Qatar Museums (QM)
