Dia Azzawi: A Retrospective (From 1963 Until Tomorrow)

The retrospective is of one of the most renowned modern artists of the Arab world: Dia Azzawi. It is the largest ever solo show by an Arab artist. Curated by Catherine David, it spans two venues in Doha : Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art & the Al Riwaq Gallery. More than 500 artworks are displayed from over the last 50 years of the artist’s career. The exhibition is divided into two separate thematics: the relationship between text and image throughout Azzawi’s work at the Mathaf, and the artist’s engagement with politics in Iraq and the greater Arab world at Al Riwaq.

Due to the two venues, the responsibility of exhibition design was split. I was responsible for all of the Mathaf while my colleague, Reem Al-Thani, managed Al Riwaq. Working alongside Catherine David, I produced the scenography, created macquettes, presented schematic 3d layouts, and made a lighting design strategy for both venues. The highlight was designing a ‘library’ that showcased Azzawi’s accordion books. In addition to the design, I helped plan the production budget of the exhibition, drafted the tender that went out to fit-out companies, and evaluated the bids.