@ Katara Cultural Village
Building 5
Doha, Qatar
Saturday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Friday: Closed
About us
Our Vision
al markhiya gallery curates a dynamic program of contemporary art exhibitions and other events throughout the year, offering established and emerging creatives important opportunities to showcase their work. We also seek out partnerships and other collaborative ventures with major galleries and institutions globally, with the aim of facilitating the exchange of exhibitions to help elevate the visibility of work by Arab artists.
Our Mission
al markhiya gallery firmly believes in the power of fresh creative ideas. By championing a carefully curated group of contemporary established and emerging Arab artists working in various disciplines, al markhiya gallery serves as a catalyst, promoting Arab art and culture not only in the region, but throughout the world.
Development of Exhibition Locations
In 2008, al markhiya established its first unique exhibition space in Doha at Souq Waqif. Six successful years later, in December of 2014, al markhiya gallery established a new permanent exhibition space, relocating to Katara Cultural Village. In September 2017, the gallery opened a second location, adjacent to the Fire Station Studios.
al markhiya gallery hosts a range of solo and group exhibitions throughout the year in these two locations, changing exhibitions every six to eight weeks. Opening receptions are attended by exhibiting artist(s) and offer clients and guests the unique opportunity to connect, contributing to the development of the vibrant art scene in Doha.
Artwork Submissions
al markhiya is interested in discovering talented Arab artists from around the world and considering their work for future exhibitions.
Artists who are interested in having their work considered by the curatorial panel at al markhiya gallery are requested to email a PDF submission including the following information:
- A current CV and biography
- Images of artworks (listing year, size, medium and price).
- An artist statement about the work.
Completed applications will be forwarded to our selection committee, which meets annually. If your work is accepted you will be contacted by the gallery staff
(Please be sure and keep your application file size to no larger than 10MB).
You can submit your application via email to the “attention of Gallery Director” at: info@almarkhiyagallery.com
About The Logo
Our logo draws its inspiration from the physical shape of the area known as al markhiya.
One of the oldest communities in Doha Qatar, the neighborhood when seen from an aerial viewpoint, appears similar in shape to that of a butterfly.
We used this butterfly form to translate our mission. Accents of colour reference an artist’s palette, but also illustrate the variety of artists that al markhiya gallery supports in their artistic development.
The design also signifies al markhiya’s aim to develop future talents from the city of Doha, throughout Qatar, and the Arab World.
Special Exhibition Showcase Initiatives
40 Minus
40 Minus is one of the flagship exhibitions for al markhiya gallery. The series features works by Arab artists below the age of 40, whose artistic practice shows considerable promise.
An annual event, 40 Minus encourages young artists to develop their craft by offering them professional exhibition experience and the opportunity to work with a skilled curator.
Chosen by a panel of arts experts from the region, 40 Minus supports al markhiya gallery in the development of new voices in Arab art. The event also serves as a vital networking forum and meeting place where artists and audiences connect.
50 x 50
Originally conceived in 2017 as a summer showcase, featuring Qatari and locally based artists, 50 x 50 has developed into an ongoing series of exhibitions, presenting affordable art aimed at first-time collectors.
Selected artists create compositions in a format limited to 50 x 50 centimeters. This group exhibition provides opportunities for audiences to discover new artists from the area and acquire artworks that are both affordably priced and conveniently sized.
Other Gallery Activities
- Artist talks and workshops tailored to a wide audience, from art enthusiasts to emerging professionals, connecting talented artists from the area with other local creatives.
- Corporate social responsibility programming in the form of different engagements; performances, lectures and other events that help contribute to building a strong community.
- Installation and delivery of unique artworks for a wide range Professional framing and finishing services.
- Guidance with artwork commissions for private and corporate collectors.
ESG and CSR Principles
At al markhiya gallery, we are committed to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles alongside our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. By promoting emerging and established artists from Qatar and the Arab World, we aim to foster sustainability, inclusivity, and ethical governance while nurturing talent and engaging meaningfully with our community. Through these efforts, we contribute to enriching Qatar’s cultural landscape and positioning the Middle East as a global hub for artistic expression.
To learn more about these important initiatives, please click the links below
