With the temporary closure of museums in the country as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, art enthusiasts who have penchant for Arab art can still access rich content by visiting Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art’s online encyclopedia.
“Even though we’re now closed due to COVID-19 preventive measures, you can still experience contemporary art from the Arab world on our encyclopedia,” read a recent post on Mathaf’s official Facebook page.
“The Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World is a bilingual, peer-reviewed online resource providing free in-depth information on modern and contemporary artists from the Arab world,” Mathaf’s Facebook post added. Available in Arabic and English, Mathaf’s free online encyclopedia provides useful information and resources on modern and contemporary Arab art and artists as well as promotes profound appreciation of art it delves deep into the life, works, and thoughts of some of the most important artists in the Arab world.
With strong support from Qatar Museums and Qatar Foundation, the encyclopedia launched in 2013 and continuously publishes entries about the artists from Mathaf’s increasing art collection, authored by commissioned scholars and researchers, thus supporting “the exchange of knowledge and building of networks between researchers and scholars around the world.”
Currently, the encyclopedia contains biographies of 47 Arab artists with broad information on the artists’ beginnings and journey into the art world, the development of their artistic practice, and their contributions to the evolving regional and global art landscape, among others.
It also lists the artists’ solo exhibitions and participation in group exhibitions, art fairs and biennials as well as awards and honours received. Iconography of their selected artworks in addition to videos and other media can also be accessed through the encyclopedia.
Over a dozen scholarly essays and in-depth artist interviews offer readers broader vista of Arab art through the various perspectives of artists and academics, sparking debates and discussions that explore relevant subjects.
Founded in 2010, Mathaf is home to over 9,000 works, making it the world’s largest specialised collection of its kind. Located in Education City, Mathaf hosts exhibition of its permanent collection as well as temporary historical and experimental exhibitions in addition to educational programmes.
The Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World can be accessed via http://www.encyclopedia.mathaf.org.qa
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