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International
Ahmed Al Maadheed’s artworks on
Football and Human Rights
Exhibit in the United Nations Headquarters, Geneva
It is not often that we have a chance to meet I have worked on various projects and
artists from Qatar but it happened recently achieved my ambitions through my creativity,
in the United Nations headquarters where such as the design of the official mascot for the
he exhibited 10 of his most recent artworks Asian Cup Qatar 2011 and the Arab session in
dedicated to Football and Human Rights. At Qatar 201.
just 32 years old, Ahmed Al Maadheed has
become one of Qatars’ most popular artists. I have also produced and directed two animated
Despite his busy schedule, he kindly agreed films for the “Qatar Museums Authority”: the
to answer our questions, so the floor is yours first in 2D and the second in 3D. I produced
Ahmed Al Maadheed. and directed a series of cartoons on the official
State of Qatar television, in its first and second
Could you tell us a little about your art and installments, a series that won the Arab media
how it all started? award.
My artistic career began at a young age. I
remember I was drawing from the first time May 6, 2017, is an important date in my life
I held a pencil. I had dreams and ambitions and which boosted my career. This was the
when I was in school. In 2009, I started to turn beginning of the crisis of the embargo of the
my passion for art into a professional activity Gulf countries on Qatar. For me the role of an
when I created my own company in the field artist is to express one’s feelings, and on that
of media, communication and art. spectacular day I played my role as an artist
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by expressing my feelings and responding to
the unjust siege of Qatar. I drew the famous
painting (Tamim Al-Majd), which became
the symbol of the unfair siege. The drawing
quickly was widely spread on social networks,
and people started using it to express their
feelings. It became an expression of patriotism
of a whole people who stood alongside the
Emir of the State of Qatar, and you could find
it everywhere – stickers on cars, buildings, of Qatar. I have developed a habit of holding
clothes etc. various exhibitions every year and expressing
myself on different human-interest issues in
In my country they support art, they my art work, which interests and inspires the
understand art, and the importance of the public to attend my various art events.
creative arts. If you deliver something good,
and if you believe in yourself no matter what Could you tell us how this exhibit come
you are doing, you will get success. about?
In Qatar, there is a very active promotion of the
Soon people got to know me as the painter cultural aspect of human rights. They believe
of Tamim al-Majd. I later offered the original that art can send a message as well, the culture
painting to His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin of the whole universe. The world needs you as
Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. a human being, so through art I take a stand
Today the painting is exhibited in the National against racism and promote human rights.
Museum of Qatar. The world needs love and compassion. It
was then suggested that I should do this
Where does your inspiration come from? exhibit about human rights and football, so, I
My inspiration is life, man and the environment. accepted the challenge, and the result is here.
I get inspired by anything beautiful, a passing It was a great job. It is mixed-media acrylic
conversation or different causes or looking at and oil paint.
life in all its simplicity and beauty inspires you
to be creative. How long time did it take to do this exhibit?
I have developed a habit of holding various We have been working on it for quite a long time.
exhibitions every year and expressing myself I needed time to reflect upon on how to convert
on different human-interest issues in my art and translate the feelings and ideas. I wanted to
work, which interests and inspires the public make it simple and clear so that everybody could
to attend my various art events. understand what it’s all about.
What are your projects? Mr. Sultan AL-GAMALI, Secretary General
I have many projects that I aspire to achieve of the Human Rights Committee of Qatar, it
and there are different goals and ambitions is my pleasure to express how deeply honored
centered around my creativity and my I am by your participation in the “Human
message to the world as an artist to express the Rights and Sports” art exhibition organized
creativity within me and serve humanity. by the National Human Rights Committee
I’m a believer in the humanities, and I have had (NHRC) of the State of Qatar on the sidelines
a lot of exhibitions about the humanities. Art of the forty-ninth session of the Human
for me speaks for itself, it is the international Rights Council. This kind participation is a
language. This is my style as you see it exhibited sign of your deep concern for the importance
here. I like that my arts carry a message. So, of disseminating, promoting, and protecting
for instance, if we speak about this painting human rights in general, as well as your
,it talks about love, peace and the culture of interest in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the
football. On the painting, you can see the unique event that will be hosted by the State
feather of the peace dove, behind is the map of Qatar this year.
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