Katara Opens "From Cuba to Qatar: Horses, Fibers, and Memories" Art Exhibition

Doha, October 08 (QNA) - The Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, inaugurated the art exhibition "From Cuba to Qatar: Horses, Fibers, and Memories" by Cuban artist Yosvany Martinez this evening, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Doha.

The opening ceremony was attended by Director General of Katara Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, HE Ambassador of Cuba to Qatar Jose Enrique Enriquez Rodriguez, and diplomats, cultural figures, and members of the Cuban community in Qatar.

Hosted at Building 47 and running until October 20, the exhibition features 29 artworks crafted using diverse techniques, including a sculpture made from natural fibers and plant-based paper.

Martinez’s pieces are distinguished by their artistic intimacy and reliance on organic materials such as the stalks of Espartio Macho, a native Cuban grass.

The artist dries and dyes the fibers with natural pigments before incorporating them into his compositions, which depict horses and iconic landmarks from Havana, Cuba’s capital.

In his remarks at the opening, HE the Cuban ambassador expressed gratitude to Katara for its support, stating that this exhibition invites to transcend geographical boundaries, where horses gallop freely and harmony emerges among the artworks. The recurring presence of horses reflects a shared cultural element between Cuba and Qatar.

He added that the exhibition explores the richness of fibers and the cultural connections that unite peoples, contributing to mutual understanding, artistic collaboration, and intercultural dialogue.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the ambassador emphasized the strength of cultural ties between Cuba and Qatar, praising the ongoing and fruitful cooperation between Katara and Cuban cultural institutions. He noted that Katara recently hosted a Cuban musical performance, further cementing this partnership.

He affirmed that the exhibition "From Cuba to Qatar: Horses, Fibers, and Memories" embodies his collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to fostering cultural and artistic dialogue between the two nations.

He stressed that culture remains a vital bridge for human connection and mutual understanding.

In a separate statement to QNA, artist Yosvany Martinez explained that he employed a range of artistic techniques in the exhibition, most notably fiber art.

He described the fibers as a type of grass native to Cuban fields, which he harvests, dries, and dyes with natural colors before meticulously assembling them into his artworks on cardboard. Each piece begins with a pencil sketch, forming the foundation for his intricate compositions.

Martinez further shared that he later expanded his artistic repertoire to include techniques such as oil on canvas and linocut printing, a method involving engraving on linoleum.

He explained that he uses a fine carving tool known as a gubia to achieve intricate details, before passing the artwork through a printing press to complete the process.

Concluding his remarks, Martinez revealed that several of his oil paintings featured in the exhibition are dedicated to the State of Qatar, as a tribute to the growing cultural ties between the two nations.

He emphasized that he paints using a fine brush with individual bristles, allowing him to create textures that mimic the feel of natural fibers, symbolizing the unity of nature, art, and human memory.

 

Source: QNA