Qatar Museums, the leading institution for art and cultural initiatives in the Gulf region, has officially unveiled Rubaiya Qatar, a new international visual arts quadrennial set to commence in November 2026. This significant cultural event will span various venues across Doha until spring 2027, including the newly refurbished Al Riwaq exhibition space, redesigned by the acclaimed architectural firm OMA. This ambitious quadrennial aims to further establish Qatar as a hub for global artistic dialogue and exchange, building on its rich cultural heritage and expanding its contemporary art scene.
As a prelude to the quadrennial, a notable new installation by Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, titled “untitled 2025 (no bread no ashes),” made its debut on October 30th at MIA Park. This interactive artwork invites visitors to engage in baking and sharing bread within a temporary pavilion, fostering community and social interaction. Tiravanija’s project thoughtfully integrates regional and diasporic culinary traditions, utilizing four distinct types of traditional ovens from Qatar, South Asia, and West Asia. The installation will be activated every Friday until January 30, 2026, continuing the artist’s career-long exploration of food and hospitality as mediums for social connection. The main exhibition of the quadrennial, “Unruly Waters,” will be curated by Tom Eccles, Ruba Katrib, Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, and ArtReview’s editor-in-chief, Mark Rappolt. The exhibition draws inspiration from historian Sunil Amrith’s research on ecological histories and global migration, delving into how water, movement, and displacement shape contemporary existence. This curated selection promises to offer a profound reflection on humanity’s relationship with its environment and the intricate dynamics of global interconnectedness.
Lead curator Tom Eccles articulated that “Unruly Waters” will investigate globalism not merely as an economic phenomenon but as a product of nature, particularly focusing on specific geographies and their response to global weather patterns. The exhibition, rooted in Qatar, seeks to highlight the nation’s diverse population and its pivotal role as a nexus for historical, present, and future global connections. Rubaiya Qatar is spearheaded by Sheikha Alanood Al Thani, under the leadership of Sheikha Reem Al Thani, and enjoys the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who envisions the quadrennial as a vital platform for cultural exchange and a continuation of Qatar Museums’ commitment to bridging heritage with contemporary artistic practices. This event is part of a broader increase in Qatar’s art programming for 2026, which also includes Art Basel’s new fair in the country next February, directed by artist Wael Shawky, and the upcoming opening of a new museum dedicated to Indian artist Maqbool Fida Husain in Doha.
Through these ambitious initiatives, Qatar is steadfastly cementing its position as a dynamic and influential center for arts and culture on the international stage. The upcoming quadrennial and accompanying exhibitions demonstrate a commitment to fostering dialogue, understanding, and appreciation for diverse artistic expressions, inviting the world to engage with the rich tapestry of global creativity.
