Artist Wael Shawky Will Direct the First Art Basel Qatar

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Led by artist Wael Shawky, Art Basel’s inaugural fair in the Gulf region will ‘[place] artistic intent at its core’ with a view to better serve exhibiting galleries. 

On Wednesday, Art Basel Qatar announced the Egypt-born, Doha-based artist will direct its first event, marking a departure from the traditional leadership it selects from more commercial backgrounds. 

Art Basel’s director of fairs Vincenzo de Bellis said Art Basel will ‘push the boundaries of the art fair model’ with its Qatar edition’s artist-led approach, which will enable the fair to ‘support galleries in presenting artists’ work with greater depth and resonance’.

Shawky, best known for films that revisit storytelling throughout time, represented Egypt at last year’s Venice Biennale, where his film Drama 1882 (2024) earned critical acclaim. 

He is currently the subject of exhibitions at LUMA Arles in France, Edinburgh’s Talbot Rice Gallery, and MMCA Gwacheon in South Korea.

Shawky worked with de Bellis to select the theme for solo presentations at Art Basel Qatar—Becoming, a nod to ‘humanity’s ongoing transformation’ with reference to the Gulf region.

‘It is a privilege to work with Art Basel on this groundbreaking format’, Shawky said, adding the ‘opportunity to explore artistic practices from across the MENA region and beyond, within a framework that values research, narrative, and experimentation, is extremely meaningful to me’.

Shawky has worked as artistic director of Qatar Museum’s artist residency Doha Fire Station since 2024. 

Art Basel Qatar will be held at the M7 creative hub in Doha’s design district from 5 to 7 February of next year, with a VIP preview on the two days prior. —[O]

Main image: Doha. Courtesy Art Basel.