Msheireb Museums and al markhiya gallery Present “Identities of Perfection

rki.news

Doha, Qatar – 4 December 2025: Msheireb Museums, in collaboration with al markhiya gallery, has opened “Identities of Perfection,” a landmark exhibition by the late Egyptian artist Hazem El Mestikawy, at Mohammed Bin Jassim House in Msheireb Downtown Doha.

The exhibition provides a contemplative experience that places the late Egyptian artist’s seminal work within the unique architectural context of Msheireb Museums. The venue’s synthesis of Qatari heritage and contemporary sustainable design creates a resonant dialogue with El Mestikawy’s thoughtful investigations into geometry, balance, and spiritual harmony.

Commenting on the exhibition, Msheireb Museums General Manager Abdulla Al Naama said: “Beyond presenting beautiful art, this exhibition accomplished something of greater significance: it transformed our spaces into a living conversation between past and future. Seeing our architectural philosophy reflected in El Mestikawy’s geometric mastery was a compelling affirmation of our purpose. The success of this partnership with al markhiya gallery motivates us to continue creating platforms where heritage and contemporary art converge to inspire new generations.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Anas Kutit, Managing Director at al markhiya gallery, said: “This exhibition achieved its core objective: to spark an essential artistic conversation. The context of Msheireb Museums provided the perfect stage for a unique discourse on form and cultural lineage, highlighting the vital synergy between galleries and institutions in bringing layered narratives to a global audience and deepening the discourse around Arab art.”

Exhibition Curator Bachir Mohamad added: “Curating ‘Identities of Perfection’ was a privilege. The dialogue between El Mestikawy’s meticulous, spiritual forms and the philosophical underpinnings of the Msheireb Museums space was even more powerful than anticipated. The exhibition creates a living environment that prompts essential conversations about balance and cultural identity in our contemporary world.”

The exhibition underscores installation art as a medium for both visual and intellectual engagement. El Mestikawy’s compositions invite contemplation of spatial relationships and the ways in which architecture, geometry, and design influence human perception and interaction. His work challenges visitors to consider the intersections between cultural heritage, artistic expression, and contemporary thought, creating an immersive experience that resonates on multiple levels.

Born in Egypt, Hazem El Mestikawy earned his B.A. in Art Education (Sculpture Department) from Minia University in 1986. After graduation, he developed a distinct sculptural language that bridges architecture, geometry, and spatial perception. In 1994, he received a grant from Pro Helvetia (the Swiss Arts Council), marking the start of his international career. Two years later, he began working between Switzerland and Austria, establishing a presence across both European and Arab art scenes. From 2014 until his passing in April 2024, El Mestikawy was based between Cairo and Alexandria, continuing to explore balance, structure, and the poetics of form in his work.

Alongside his artistic practice, El Mestikawy contributed to Egypt’s cultural landscape as Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art (2002–2003), Co-founder and Chief Editor of Medina art and architecture magazine, and Professor of Sculpture at both the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport and the American University in Cairo.

El Mestikawy received numerous awards during his career, including the Grand Prize at the 13th Asia Art Biennale in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and recognition at the 11th Youth Salon (Installation Category) at the Palace of Arts, National Center of Fine Arts, Cairo, Egypt. His work is represented in prominent public collections, such as the Aswan International Open-Air Museum Collection in Egypt, the Jameel Museum Collection in Dubai, the Ministry of Culture Collection in Riyadh, the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art Collection in Cairo, the North Carolina Museum of Art Collection in the United States, and the Shoes or No Shoes? Museum Collection in Kruishoutem, Belgium.

The “Identities of Perfection” exhibition is open to the public at Msheireb Museums’ Mohammed Bin Jassim House temporary exhibitions space during the museums’ regular opening hours.