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Friday, June 5, 2020 Shawwal 13, 1441 AH Doha today 330 - 440 THAT portrait Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed, the Qatari artist who drew the iconic ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait recalls what pulled him to it. P 2-4 COVER STORY SHOWBIZ BACK PAGE Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee told Diplomatic community hails Qatar’s stories about you and me. resilience on the anniversary of blockade. Page 15 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Friday, June 5, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “I drew it with my heart” PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.13am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.44am — Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed, Qatari Zuhr (noon) 11.34am Asr (afternoon) 2.58pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.24pm artist who drew ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait Isha (night) 7.54pm USEFUL NUMBERS Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444 Humanitarian Services Office (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374 ote Unquo Qu te “Because things are the way they are, things will not By Azmat Haroon Al Majd’ (Tamim the Glory) quickly his love and faith in the leadership stay the way they are.” became popular. It was everywhere of Qatar. Ahmed shot to stardom — Bertolt Brecht from skyscrapers to profile photos on soon after, and he achieved local hen the regional social media. and international fame. Community neighbours of Qatar People rushed to write messages of recently spoke to Ahmed about the imposed an illegal support to their leader His Highness ways in which ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait blockade on the the Amir on the posters of the portrait changed his life. country, it took many everywhere, and showed strength Wby surprise. People, especially locals and solidarity with fellow citizens. It Excerpts who had family members residing in instilled a sense of pride in everyone. How did the iconic ‘Tamim Al Community Editor different GCC countries, grappled with The man behind the popular portrait Majd’ portrait change your life? Kamran Rehmat the idea of connecting with their loved was the contemporary Qatari artist For me as an artist, ‘Tamim Al Majd’ ones. There was an initial element of Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed. is an icon of solidarity and our refusal e-mail: [email protected] shock and surprise. During these times Although Ahmed had been drawing for of the blockade. It united all the people. Telephone: 44466405 of distress, a portrait comprising a black many years, his portrait of His Highness When the siege happened, it became a Fax: 44350474 and white silhouette of His Highness the Amir carried a different meaning. symbol of blockade. And it changed my the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- It expressed his feelings about the status in the country, and added a sense Thani’s profile with the slogan ‘Tamim blockade while simultaneously showing of responsibility for the community. I Friday, June 5, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 COVER STORY COMMUNITY am drawing for the last 30 years and I draw in different styles, be it caricatures, animation, or portraits. I started drawing professionally in 2009. Compared to my other words, this icon is something completely different because it tells a real story. I drew it with my heart and my feelings gave my artwork meaning. ‘Tamim Al Majd’ has become a timeless piece of art that stands as a symbol of national unity and pride for all in Qatar — did the overwhelming response catch you by surprise? The portrait tells the story of the blockade. When the siege was imposed on Qatar, my artwork started appearing everywhere, both in Qatar and internationally. So people started asking what is happening, and through the portrait we were able to tell them the story of the blockade. I saw people use it all over the world. I made the portrait to express my feelings about the blockade. But I was not surprised by the reaction. The reality is that people love His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and the overwhelming response to ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait was a result of that. His Highness the Amir visited my exhibition and I was very honoured by his visit. Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani, wife of His Highness the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani looking at a portrait of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani made by Amir, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed. bin Khalifa al-Thani and other members of the Qatari Royal family that we can survive even without to succeed and prosper because we of someone. With the advent can instantly see it through social visited the exhibition and saw my the support of the neighbours. We believe in our nation. of technology came the digital media. I believe technology is very artwork. I was really encouraged by are thankful to His Highness the and new media art, how has that important, especially with regards to their visit and support. Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Before the invention of affected art in your opinion? art and innovation. It helps you reach Thani everything that he has done photography, a painted, sculpted, We are living in an age where a larger audience and you are able to How would you describe for Qataris and the expatriates. or drawn portrait was the only technology is everywhere. Anyone touch the lives of many more people. the role of an artist in nation Despite the blockade, we continue way to record the appearance who is interested in my artwork Continued to Page 4 building? I think as an artist it is really important that I have the role to “I made the portrait to express my feelings about the blockade. But I was convey a message. As a Qatari artist, I feel that people expect a lot of not surprised by the reaction. The reality is that people love His Highness things from me. After the success of ‘Tamim Al Majd’, I became a popular the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and the overwhelming Qatari artist not just locally but also response to ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait was a result of that” internationally. I sense that people expect something good from me, so I am also careful about my art. I want to do artwork that has a reason and meaning and one that touches all the people. You should be able to feel your emotions through an artwork. In my case, it was different because suddenly, I was very popular. My case is not like any other artist where you can draw anything because people are paying close attention to my work. They see it on social media platforms. I think in that sense, responsibility is very important. When you succeed, you become an icon for your family, youth. And so I want to see myself through better art. What are your thoughts on the blockade of Qatar and how has it impacted your life? I’m a sensitive guy. I can feel your pain even when you’re quiet. When the blockade happened I was shocked. Qatar is my family — it’s everything to me. And what happened… you don’t expect it from your neighbour. It was like someone stabbed me in the back. I felt the pain of the people around me. But I think it made us stronger as a nation. We realised The artist showing his works to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. 4 GULF TIMES Friday, June 5, 2020 COMMUNITY Continued from Page 3 You’ve spoken about the plagiarism of some of your artwork in the past. How did that conversation begin? There are two things I would like to discuss here. When people like your art, they like to copy and draw it themselves. But when you start using my work commercially without my knowledge, I don’t approve of it. As it is, I don’t accept all commercial ventures. The other thing is that if it’s an image or artwork related to the His Highness the Amir such as ‘Tamim Al Majd’, then you have to be respectful about it. You cannot use it just anywhere. It is to be held in high regard as a public symbol and slogan that should not be disrespected or undermined. The original ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait is now in National Museum of Qatar. Can you talk about some of the projects that you are currently working on? I am looking forward to do many good things for Qatar. I have been doing a lot of exhibitions in Qatar as well as outside. I don’t see myself just as an artist. My art is my tool to send my message. Actually with the coronavirus pandemic, there is now an increased focus on using art on digital platforms. I started competitions to encourage people to make art about coronavirus. I’ve also created artwork urging people to stay at home as a campaign to stay home and be healthy. I’ve many ideas about the pandemic and how it has affected us and plan on working Three generations of leaders, another poignant work by the artist.

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