In collaboration with EVENT REPORT

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1 EVENT REPORT In collaboration with

2 START Doha partnered with the New York Times and W Doha Hotel & Residences for the exciting first edition of the art fair that was held in collaboration with the third edition of The New York Times Art For Tomorrow Conference. Spread over the hotel s 29th floor, this was a focused and intimate event, with a selection of specially invited galleries and participants. The fair pinned itself at the centre of a key week in the contemporary art calendar for the rapidly developing region, when leading artists, curators, commentators and collectors convened in Doha to immerse themselves in week of cultural discourse and contemporary art. Following an acclaimed curated program of Qatari artists as part of START London last year, leading artist and curator Mahmoud Obaidi presented Qatar for Tomorrow, an engaging showcase of nine artists either from or living in Qatar for START Doha. This presentation included a diverse range of works - including video, photography, sculpture, installation and neon. However, a common thread explored through these mediums were notions of displacement, diaspora, identity and cross-cultural exchange - themes that reflect the urban mobility and transitory tendencies of the populations of the Arabian Gulf area. START Doha benefitted from the successes of START London - now entering its fourth year, and from the expertise of Saatchi Gallery CEO Nigel Hurst, Parallel Contemporary Art Founders David and Serenella Ciclitira, and Mahmoud Obaidi. The fair was attended by local collectors and art enthusiasts, including Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani credited as one of the most prolific collectors of contemporary art in the world. Galleries enjoyed strong sales and artists benefitted from leads for commissions. The international guests and art world aficionados who visited the fair discovered arresting contemporary artists and captivating new artworks previously unseen in Qatar. 2 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

3 CONTENTS Galleries & Artists Gallery Installations Critical Response Qatar For Tomorrow VIP Preview AFT Conference H.E. Sheika Al Mayassa Delegate Dinner... Richard Serra... Lunch on Level Catalogue... Media Coverage... Marketing... Social Media START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

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5 PARTICIPATING GALLERIES Anima Gallery, Hafez Gallery, Montoro12 Contemporary Art, Qatar For Tomorrow FEATURED ARTISTS Abdullah AlShaikh, Adel AlQuraishi, Ahmed Nawar, Ali Hassan, Ania Wójtowicz, Faig Ahmed, Filwa Nazer, Hana Al-Saadi, Ibrahim ElDessouki, Khaled Hafez, Larissa Sansour, Mahmoud Obaidi, Maimouna Gueressi, Mohamed Mansour, Mohammed Zaza, Osama Esid, Othman Khunji, Owais Husain, Raeda Ashour, Roda Al Nassr, Sara AlAbdali, Sebastián Montoya, Waqas Farid 8 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

6 Anima Gallery Hafez Gallery Anima Gallery Hafez Gallery Anima Gallery Hafez Gallery 10 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

7 Hafez Gallery Qatar For Tomorrow Montoro12 Contemporary Art Qatar For Tomorrow Qatar For Tomorrow Owais Husain 12 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

8 CRITICAL RESPONSE What The Critics Said The objective is to showcase work by emerging Asian artists, and to bring in a younger audience who are very new to collecting, as well as collectors who are new to contemporary Asian art. Caroline Roux The Telegraph It s a voyage of discovery. The participating galleries can t be more than eight years old. It s unlikely you ll see work you ve seen before! Nigel Hurst CEO, Saatchi Gallery This growing activity in Doha s art scene is garnering increasing international attention and investment. Aimee Dawson The Art Newspaper The local scene is really growing, especially with the presence of museums and new art venues like the Fire Station and with the many shows that are being organised like Dia Azzawi, Picasso-Giacometti and JR. After all it is getting recognised internationally. For a small city like Doha, it s amazing! Mahmoud Obaidi Curator and Artist It s a real honour to host The New York Times Art for Tomorrow Conference for three years in a row. The addition of START Doha Art Fair is an active effort from the W Doha to contribute to the breadth and depth of the art scene in the country. Safak Guvenc General Manager for W Doha Hotel & Residences 14 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

9 QATAR FOR TOMORROW Following an acclaimed curated program of Qatari artists as part of START London last year, leading artist and curator Mahmoud Obaidi presented Qatar for Tomorrow, an engaging showcase of nine artists either from or living in Qatar for START Doha. This presentation included a diverse range of works - including video, photography, sculpture, installation and neon. However, a common thread explored through these mediums were notions of displacement, diaspora, identity and cross-cultural exchange - themes that reflect the urban mobility and transitory tendencies of the populations of the Arabian Gulf area. This presentation allowed START the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to emerging artists and new art scenes. Having provided Obaidi with the platform to highlight these artists at the Saatchi Gallery in London, we were delighted to offer him the chance to re-present the Qatari art scene in the context of its homeland as part of START Doha 16 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

10 VIP PREVIEW START Doha held its Preview Day on Friday, 10th March 2017 and welcomed selected guests, collectors and renowned art speakers to the W Hotel and Residencies. 18 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

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16 ART FOR TOMORROW CONFERENCE Over 200 professionals descended on Doha to provide interviews and solution-oriented discussions led by award-winning New York Times journalists, the conference investigated the issues that occupy the territory between art and public life. The event also examined the role of art as a catalyst for economic growth and development, as well as a mechanism for city or corporate branding. 30 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

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18 VISIT BY HER EXCELLENCY Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute and Reach Out to Asia. She is also one of the most prolific collectors of contemporary art in the world. START was honoured to welcome Her Excellency for a special viewing of the fair where she met with the artists and galleries. 34 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

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20 DELEGATE DINNER VIP guests and Art for Tomorrow conference delegates enjoyed an exceptional dinner at The Fire Station, following an exclusive private tour of the Picasso/Giacometti exhibition on display. 38 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

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22 RICHARD SERRA A visit to Richard Serra s breathtaking sculpture in the Brouq nature reserve, spanning over a kilometre and comprising of four steel plates, each over fourteen meters in height. Commissioned by the Islamic Museum and Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. 42 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

23 LUNCH ON LEVEL 29 The New York Times and Art For Tomorrow conference hosted a lunch for delegates and VIPs, alongside sponsors Numismatica Genevensis SA. 44 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

24 SKIRA AT START DOHA Italian publishing house Skira presented a selection of their art publications for the guests of the fair. 46 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

25 Hafez Gallery Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Hafez Gallery. 3rd Floor Bougainvillea, King Abdulaziz Road Phone Director Qaswra Hafez Established in 2014 Artists featured Abdullah AlShaikh (Saudi Arabia) Ahmed Nawar (Egypt) Ibrahim ElDessouki (Egypt) Mohammed Zaza (Syria) Filwa Nazer (Saudi Arabia) Sara AlAbdali (Saudi Arabia) Raeda Ashour (Saudi Arabia) Osama Esid (Syria) Maimouna Guerresi (Italy) Adel AlQuraishi (Saudi Arabia) Founded in 2014, 3rd floor at Bougainvillea in Jeddah. Hafez Gallery participates in engaging local, Middle Eastern and international artists to visually converse and explore Modern and Contemporary art. Hafez gallery serves as a space to nurture the discovery of a Saudi visual identity, and participate in the international art dialogue. Filwa Nazer, Garden 2 (Green Library Series) 2017 Digital print on Somerset Paper & Collage 84 x 84 cm Osama Esid Erk Soos (Cairo Series) 2015 Hand colored Pigment Print, 105 x 85 cm Artists represented Hend Adnan (Egypt) Mohammed AlGhamdi (Saudi Arabia) Lulwah AlHomoud (Saudi Arabia) Nora AlIssa (Saudi Arabia) Arwa AlNeami (Saudi Arabia) Mohammed AlResayes (Saudi Arabia) 22 Hafez Gallery Hafez Gallery 23 Montoro12 Contemporary Art Rome, Italy Via di Montoro, Rome, Italy Phone info@montoro12.it Director Massimo Micucci Established in 2012 Artists featured Faig Ahmed (Azerbaijan) Larissa Sansour (Israel) Montoro12 Contemporary Art was founded in 2012 by contemporary art historian Ursula Hawlitschka with the goal of both promoting young Italian artists in Rome and abroad and bringing international contemporary artists to Rome. Montoro12 believes art to be an excellent means of communication to further understanding between different cultures. Faig Ahmed Virgin 2016 Handmade woolen carpet 200 x 150 cm 32 Montoro12 Contemporary Art Montoro12 Contemporary Art 33 CATALOGUE The START Doha Catalogue featured two double page spreads for each participating gallery and provided information on the galleries backgrounds and contact details as well as details on the artworks that would be featured in the fair. Owais Husain There is no present. We only exist between the future and the past (III), 2015, Mixed-media on paper, acrylic light box, x cm Owais Husain There is no present. We only exist between the future and the past (V), 2015, Mixed-media on paper, acrylic light box, x cm Owais Husain There is no present. We only exist between the future and the past (VI), 2015 Mixed-media on paper, acrylic light box, x cm 42 Owais Husain Owais Husain START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

26 Qatar For Tomorrow Leaflet Curator Mahmoud Obaidi Press Enquiries: Fiona Russell, Flint PR M: +44(0) Clara de Lama Daageh W Doha Hotel & Residences clara.delama@whotels.com T: START Doha info@startartfaircom QATAR FOR TOMORROW START is a platform that shines a spotlight on emerging artists and new art scenes. Founded and organised by Parallel Contemporary Art and Saatchi Gallery, START takes its intrepid first steps in Qatar with specially invited galleries and participants. The acclaimed London edition takes place in September, where the fair enjoys the museum-quality environment of Saatchi Gallery, providing an immaculate space for galleries and artists to showcase their work. START aims to enable collectors, curators, and the greater public to discover new artistic talent. The fourth edition of START London will take place from 14 to 17 September START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

27 The Telegraph Doha START Art Fair Showcases Emerging Contemporary Asian Artists MEDIA COVERAGE START Doha enjoyed both local and international press coverage, including The Art Newspaper and The Telegraph START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

28 The Telegraph Doha START Art Fair Showcases Emerging Contemporary Asian Artists The Art Newspaper Art for Tomorrow in Doha START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

29 Qatar Doha Conference Hosts 300 Art and Cultural Influencers Qatar News Agency Third Edition of Art for Tomorrow Concludes 56 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

30 Qatar Tribune START Doha Opens to an Overwhelming Response The Peninsula Unique Pieces on Display at START Doha Art Fair 58 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

31 Creativity With Kay START Doha, Art For Tomorrow The Artling Art For Tomorrow START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

32 The Peninsula Glimpses of Owais Husains works at START Doha art fair Hotel and Rest W Hotel and Residencies Hosts the START Doha Art Fair 62 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

33 Magpie Art for Tomorrow Comes Back To Doha Marhaba START Doha Contemporary Art Fair 64 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

34 MARKETING 66 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

35 Website Social Media 68 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March 2017 START Doha, W Hotel, Qatar, March

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37 In collaboration with