Qatar Museums opens two exhibitions celebrating modern Indian art and sneakers | culture

In a busy cultural and artistic season that reflects the growing creative vitality in Doha, Qatar Museums opened two prominent exhibitions, each representing a different pole in the world of art and design, offering the public immersive experiences that celebrate the ancient Indian artistic heritage on the one hand, and explore the phenomenon of global sneaker culture on the other hand. Both events are part of the “Evolution Nation” campaign, which celebrates the cultural journey of the State of Qatar.

A journey into the legendary world of Maqbool Fida Hussain

At Qatar Museums Gallery – Katara, the exhibition “Maqbool Fida Hussain: Roots and Ages” was opened, which provides an immersive artistic experience of the works of one of the most prominent icons of modern Indian art, Maqbool Fida Hussain (1913-2011). Held in partnership with the prestigious Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi, the exhibition features more than 80 prominent artworks by Hussain, interwoven with a rich collection of textual and archival materials that provide an in-depth look into his unique creative career.

The exhibition was officially opened on Monday evening by the Chair of the Qatar Museums Board of Trustees, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in the presence of the Minister of Education and Vice-Chairman of the Qatar Museums Board of Trustees, Lulwa bint Rashid Al Khater, and the CEO of Qatar Museums, Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, along with a group of prominent figures, including Ms. Kiran Nadar, founder of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, and Mr. Awais Hussein, the multimedia artist and son of the late artist.

Guests enjoyed the captivating show “Manganiyar” presented by the famous Indian band on the open stage in Katara. It is a show that combines music, theater and visual arts, and was presented in cooperation with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.

This immersive artistic experience, which was originally presented as part of the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2024, now arrives in Doha in a new form, offering spatial and sensory experiences that trace Hussein’s artistic journey shaped by memory, mythology and the spirit of travel.

The exhibition delves into the expanding meanings of the word “yatra” (journey), as a symbol of civilization, a guiding force in artistic expression, and a metaphor for internal and collective transformation.

Through an exceptional collection of creations, the exhibition embodies the artist’s vision of India as an ancient civilization and a contemporary nation at the same time. The exhibition receives visitors from October 28, 2025 until February 7, 2026, and comes as a continuation of the legacy of the Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019.

“Sports Shoes: From Manufacturer to Street”

On 3/2/1 at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani unveiled the exhibition “Sports Shoes: From the Manufacturer to the Street.” Coming from the prestigious Design Museum in London, this traveling exhibition marks its first launch in the Middle East here in Doha, and will run from October 28, 2025 to March 7, 2026.

The exhibition details the design of sneakers and their deep cultural stories, revealing their amazing journey from being a mere tool for sporting activities to a global phenomenon that reshaped the world of sports, street style and individual identity. The exhibition takes visitors on an immersive journey through the history of sneakers by displaying more than 200 pairs of shoes, accompanied by rare photographs, videos and archival materials. It also includes rare and limited-edition designs, in addition to an exclusive display of prestigious shoes created by the late designer Virgil Abloh.

On this occasion, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, President of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, said: “The “Sports Shoe: From Manufacturer to Street” exhibition confirms our continuous endeavor to explore the grounds that combine sport, design and culture… By hosting this event here in Doha, we continue to engage a diverse audience, inspire the new generation, and highlight the ability of sport to unite people globally.”

The exhibition addresses sneaker culture from the perspectives of “style” and “performance,” highlighting how innovation-based designs have transformed the sneaker and changed the way athletes train and compete, leading to its cultural impact as a powerful symbol of identity, creativity and self-expression.

Tim Marlow, CEO and Director of the London Design Museum, commented: “In the last five decades, the sneaker has witnessed tremendous development… The exhibition discusses a global design phenomenon that has aroused everyone’s interest… with a complex and fascinating combination of technical innovation… and the popular cultures of street style. I am very happy that Doha is hosting this exhibition.”

The presentation of this exhibition is part of the legacy of the Qatar-United Kingdom Year of Culture 2013, confirming the continuity of cultural ties between the two countries. Both exhibitions are part of the activities of “Evolution Nation”, the campaign organized by “Qatar Innovates” to honor the country’s cultural journey and highlight its future aspirations as a global center for art, culture and creativity.