Mal Lawal 3: Celebrating Collecting in Our Community
This online exhibition is part of the third installment of the Mal Lawal exhibition on view at the National Museum of Qatar.
Mr. Yousuf Al Kuwari's briefcase with objects, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
Introduction
Collecting can be impulsive but can also be a conscious act of connecting objects that carry special meaning and value to an individual. Mal Lawal (‘of the past’) is an exhibition that explores this practice and celebrates collections of all sizes, professional and hobby driven.
“The art of collecting in Qatar can be described as a learning and emotional experience. In Qatar, collecting has become an important discipline that enables individuals to form a dialogue about their culture in an institutional context.”
– Dr. Khawla Almarri
"Heritage objects carry history, values and traditions of a society. Such objects are a source of pride for the Qatari collector. Mal Lawal 3 aims to nurture collecting in Qatar in line with international standards."
– Dr. Haya Al Thani
Mr. Sabaan Mesmar Al Jassim's collection, view of Al Jassim's exhibition space in Souq Waqif, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
Fascination with objects
Collectors are often fascinated by a specific object. Collectors can be stimulated by the object’s design, the craftsmanship, or even its rarity. Some collectors form specialised collections of particular objects. Others create general collections of objects that interest them.
Juma Mubarak Al Kuwari
From a young age, Juma M. Al Kuwari was drawn to the swords used in traditional war dances, e.g. the Ardah and the Al Bu Kowara Ardah, performed during celebrations. Yet a gift of a Syrian sword by his father initiated his collection.
Mr. Juma Mubarak Al Kuwari's collection, a selection of swords and daggers from Mr. Juma Mubarak Al Kuwari's collection, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
He is fascinated by the intricate artistry found in traditional swords.
Sabaan Mesmar Al Jassim
Sabaan M. Al Jassim is fascinated by unique objects. His hobby of collecting started over 50 years ago, and his collection includes antiques, books, photographs, and objects of historic value.
Mr. Sabaan Mesmar Al Jassim's collection, view of Al Jassim's exhibition space in Souq Waqif, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
He exhibits his collection at his shop in Souq Waqif, Doha’s traditional marketplace.
Mubarak Yusef Al Sahel
Mubarak Y. Al Sahel started collecting stamps as a hobby when he was in school. His collection now includes approximately 500 stamps from all over the world.
Mr. Mubarak Yusuf Al Sahel's collection, Al Sahel going through his stamps collection, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
He collects used stamps, first day cover issues and even prototypes.
Car from Mr. Omar Hussain Alfardan's collection, (2020) by Omar Hussain AlfardanNational Museum of Qatar
Omar Hussain Alfardan
Since 1995, Omar H. Alfardan, president and CEO of the Alfardan Group, has been collecting unique cars that are from the 1900s onwards. They are housed in Letbelah (‘shaded garage’), his private museum.
Alfardan’s philosophy is “Collect the exclusive, maintain the soul, and enjoy the car during a drive”.
Mr. Hassan Ali Al Naimi's collection, Al Naimi with his collection of banknotes, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
The thrill of collecting
The act of collecting can be exciting. The difficulty of acquiring an object, the adventure in search of an object, and the playfulness of the act itself resembles a treasure hunt. Sometimes this approach to collecting contributes to the eccentricity of the collection.
Hassan Ali Al Naimi
Hassan A. Al Naimi collects banknotes that are either misprinted or have specific numbers, such as solid serial numbers (e.g. 111111), low serial numbers (e.g. 000010), or first serial numbers printed (e.g. 000001).
Mr. Hassan Ali Al Naimi's collection, Al Naimi with his collection of banknotes, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
These types of banknotes are extremely difficult to find.
Khalid Jamal Al Ajmi
In his travels, Khalid J. Al Ajmi loves to search for rare and valuable objects. His hobby began in 2008, when he went shopping in an antiquity market in Thailand.
Mr. Khalid Jamal Al Ajmi's collection, Al Ajmi's collection is housed in his private museum, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
His collection is housed in his very own private museum.
Khalid Mohammed Al Oteibi
"You know me by my number," says Khalid M. Al Oteibi who collects Qatari license plates with specific numbers on them.
Mr. Khalid Mohanned Al Oteibi's collection, a selection of license plates from Al Oteibi's collection, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
He acquired his first plate in 2006 and since then has continued to search for unique plates — old and new.
Mr. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Fakhroo's collection, inside Mr. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Fakhroo's private study, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
Igniting the imagination
Collecting can be a way to understand the world we live in and build stories around objects.
Ibrahim Yousuf Al Fakhroo
Ibrahim Y. Al Fakhroo is interested in Islamic manuscripts and objects. His collection documents pre-Islamic and Islamic culture. However, for him it is a way to understand and relive the past.
Mr. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Fakhroo's collection, inside Mr. Ibrahim Yousuf Al Fakhroo's private study, (2020) by Sixty DegreesNational Museum of Qatar
Through his manuscripts, he can picture the past and navigate through its various narratives.
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