Composition of the word ‘Qatar’

The work of the pioneering artist Yousef Ahmad draws upon a diverse array of sources, including traditional architectural forms, cultural traditions and natural landscapes. In his artistic oeuvre, he evokes memories of his life in Qatar prior to the rapid urban, social and economic development that has transformed the country. He utilises local raw materials, including palm trees, sand and other natural resources, to create art that is innovative yet authentically rooted in his surroundings.

In this abstract painting, Ahmad evokes the spontaneous and geometric structures found in old mud houses by recreating a vibrant assembly of bricks. His interest in Arabic calligraphy prompted him to explore the art of hurufiyya, utilising the arrangement of stones to construct the word 'Qatar’ in Arabic (قطر). For Ahmad, as for numerous other modern artists from the Arab world and beyond, the utilisation of letterforms represents an act of proclaiming a visual cultural identity.

Ahmad displays a profound fascination with paper. He has traveled widely, acquiring expertise in papermaking techniques and investigating a range of materials. These travels inspired him to experiment with Qatari handmade palm paper, which he subsequently incorporated into his career. Ahmad's distinctive affinity for paper as a medium can be traced back to this pivotal work, where he boldly employs kite paper and delves into its texture. This is a prime example of his early experimentation with materials, where he harmoniously integrates a different type of paper in this oil painting.

This early work was part of Yousef Ahmad's first solo exhibition at the Qatar National Museum on the occasion of its inauguration in 1977.