Sheikha Al Mayassa: Artists welcome in Qatar, but no insults please
Contemporary artists invited to exhibit in Qatar should not insult the culture or traditions of the state, the head of Qatar Museums has said in a recent TV interview.
Over the past few years, the country has introduced the works of a number of controversial artists, including Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami.
But Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani said the aim of this was to create discussion rather than offend people.
Speaking to CNN International in what’s being called her first TV interview in two years, the chairperson said:
“Most contemporary art is provocative. And a lot of people say for good art to be good, it should be provocative.
We are very clear with the artists that you are free to decide on your exhibition, but you are not free to be insulting to our culture or traditions.”
