Polished Steel

Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani (b.1962, France)

Motherland expresses and represents the artist’s connection and appreciation for the land, motherhood, and national identity. The large-scale sculpture references a traditional sailing dhow resting on the sands of the shore. The artwork also acts as a tribute to the region’s last generation of women who wore the battoula. The original work by Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani dates back to 2002. This particular edition was commissioned by Qatar Museums to be part of its art collection.

Artist, scholar and collector, Al Thani has played a pioneering role since the 1980s in cultivating and preserving modern and contemporary art in the Middle East and North Africa. He has been at the forefront of art, cultural and educational institutions in Qatar and is responsible for the foundation of Mathaf. His artwork, which takes many forms, including painting, photography, sculpture and experimentation with fabric, is deeply rooted in Qatar’s history and traditions and inspired by his friendships and exchanges with artists from across the Arab world.