MONIRA AL QADIRI
b. 1983, KuwaitMonira Al Qadiri is a Kuwaiti visual artist born in Senegal and educated in Japan. Spanning sculpture, installation, film, and performance, Al Qadiri’s multifaceted practice is based on research into the cultural histories of the Gulf region. Her interpretation of the Gulf’s so-called ‘petro-culture’ is manifested through speculative scenarios that take inspiration from science fiction, autobiography, traditional practices, and pop culture, resulting in uncanny and covertly subversive works that destabilize mythologies of statecraft and modernization as well as traditional notions of gender. Tracing the delicate ecologies threatened by the petroleum industry’s relentless resource extraction, Al Qadiri’s works envision a world in which oil is a relic of humanity’s past. She is currently based in Berlin.
She has held solo exhibitions at The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Bilbao (2022), Digital Arts Resource Center (DARC), Ottawa (2022), Art Gallery Burlington, Ontario (2021), Haus der Kunst, Munich (2020), Kunstverein Gottingen, Gottingen (2019), The CIRCL Pavilion, Amsterdam (2018), Sursock Museum, Beirut (2017), Gasworks, London (2017), Stroom Den Haag, the Hague (2017), and Sultan Gallery, Kuwait (2014). Her participation in collective exhibitions includes: The Milk of Dreams the 59th International Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Venice (2022), Phantasmapolis Asia Art Biennale, Taiwan (2021–2022), ‘Feeling the Stones’ Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennial, Riyadh (2021–2022), Expo 2020, Dubai (2021), One Escape at a Time Seoul Mediacity Biennial, Seoul (2021), Intermingling Flux, Guangzhou Image Triennial, Guangzhou (2021), Our World is Burning, Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2020), Theater of Operations: The Gulf Wars, MoMA PS1, New York (2019–2020), Future Generation Art Prize, Kiev (2019), Antikino, Berlinale Forum Expanded, Berlin (2019), Asia Pacific Triennial, Brisbane (2018), Lulea Biennial, Sweden (2018), Athens Biennial, Athens (2018), Crude, Jameel Arts Center, Dubai (2018), among others.
Text courtesy KÖNIG GALERIE
Explore Monira Al Qadiri's Exhibitions
Monira Al Qadiri in Ocula Magazine
Explore and Follow Artists Shaping Contemporary Art
A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services