‘During David Beckham‘s recent visit to Doha for the launch of Art Basel Qatar, The Ned unveils a remarkable installation.’ – Vaughn Lowery
In celebration of Art Basel’s first ever edition in the Middle East, this February The Ned Doha will unveil Old to New, a thoughtfully curated exhibition that explores the transformation of time, culture and creative practice. As the global art world turns its gaze to Doha, The Ned Doha, housed within one of the country’s most architecturally and historically significant buildings, takes its place at the heart of this landmark moment, welcoming visitors to experience the intersection of international and local creativity and the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
Curated by Moza Al Kurai and Fatima Mohammed, and presented in collaboration with Sana Art, Old to New brings together a selection of Qatar’s most talented artists whose practices bridge heritage and innovation. Including works by Sara Al Naimi, Noora Al Hardan and Mubarak Al Thani, across painting, textiles, sculpture and digital media, the exhibition traces a dialogue between past and present, honouring cultural memory while embracing the evolving language of today’s art.
Set against the richly layered interiors of The Ned Doha, the exhibition becomes an immersive experience as the building’s own transformation mimics the works on display: a historic civic space reborn as a hub of contemporary gathering and creativity. Visitors can move through rooms where woven and block-printed textiles, recycled materials and mixed-media urban forms sit side by side offering a perspective on renewal and reinvention.
Highlights from the exhibition include Sara Al Naimi’s tactile textile tapestry ‘Between Forms Flow,’ where traditional craft techniques are reinterpreted through a contemporary lens; whilst Hind Al Saad’s ‘Earth Machine’ merges copper and printed circuit boards to reflect the intersection of cultural systems.
The Ned Doha quotes “The timing of Art Basel Qatar, Old to New enforces The Ned Doha’s position as more than just a hospitality destination but a cultural platform where art, design and conversation converge. The property’s very own ambitious art collection of 350 pieces, is largely made up of works by female artists and is curated to reflect themes of identity, heritage, ecology and cultural transformation.”
The collection brings a living gallery to the property which underscores their commitment to championing the region’s emerging creative scene. During Art Basel the space will welcome guests, collectors and creatives in the industry into an inspiring setting that encourages connection and discovery.
Since opening, The Ned Doha has emerged as Qatar’s most dynamic lifestyle property, offering a refined blend of hospitality, art, design and culture. Home to seven restaurants, 90 bedrooms and suites. And Ned’s Club – a member’s only space spread across multiple floors, the property has rapidly established itself as the capital’s social hub. Set against the backdrop of Qatar’s growing global prominence, hosting events from the FIFA World Cup and Formula 1 Grand Prix to the Design Biennale and now Art Basel – the property sits at the centre of a region in creative ascent.
With its balance of heritage and innovation, Old to New stands as a defining cultural moment for the season and captures the spirit of The Ned Doha and Qatar’s creative future.
