Transforming Qatar into an Open-Air Art Gallery

Qatar is redefining the boundaries of creativity and accessibility with its public art program, spearheaded by Qatar Museums (QM). Through a dynamic array of installations that weave art into the fabric of daily life, the nation has turned its urban and natural landscapes into a living, breathing gallery. From the bustling streets of Doha to the serene expanses of the desert, Qatar’s public spaces showcase an extraordinary array of contemporary pieces, including monumental sculptures, and interactive murals. Art enthusiasts can find striking works at every turn: Hamad International Airport welcomes travelers with bold installations, while parks, stadiums, and vibrant cityscapes offer unexpected artistic encounters. Highlights include Richard Serra’s towering East-West/West-East in the desert, Olafur Eliasson’s ethereal Shadows Traveling on the Sea of the Day, and Louise Bourgeois’ Maman, a colossal spider sculpture standing at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Read on to discover some of the most iconic pieces of Qatar’s ever-expanding public art landscape.

Richard Serra (b. 1938, United States) East-West/West-East, 2014 weathering steel, 14.7 to 16.7 metres in height (each) Brouq Nature Reserve, Zekreet | photo © Iwan Baan courtesy of Qatar Museums

Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East

Nestled within a natural corridor shaped by gypsum plateaus, Richard Serra’s East-West/West-East stretches over a kilometer in length, traversing the Brouq Nature Reserve and connecting the Gulf’s waters. Unveiled in 2014, the installation features four towering steel plates, ranging in height from 14.7 to 16.7 meters, aligned precisely with each other and the surrounding gypsum plateaus. Despite the expansive distance between them, all four plates remain visible and accessible from either end of the sculpture. Created by world-renowned artist Richard Serra, East-West/West-East marks his second public piece in the Middle East, following 7, installed at MIA Park in 2011.

Richard Serra (b. 1938, United States) 7 (detail), 2011 Steel, 24.6 metres MIA Park | photo © Iwan Baan courtesy of Qatar Museums

Daniel Arsham’s Sports Ball Galaxy

Created by Daniel Arsham in 2012, Sports Ball Galaxy is a striking installation displayed at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Measuring 6.3 by 7.8 meters, this chandelier-like sculpture features an array of sports balls—including basketballs, footballs, and cricket balls—crafted from foam-filled cast hydro-stone and pigment. The balls are strung along a steel cable, suspended from a ceiling-mounted bracket.

The single shadowy hue coating the balls reflects Arsham’s signature aesthetic, giving the piece a raw, unfinished appearance. This deliberate lack of color also alludes to the artist’s personal experience with colorblindness, encouraging viewers to question conventional uses of color. A hallmark of Arsham’s work, the theme of ‘erosion’ is evident in the weathered, deteriorated surfaces of the balls, creating the impression that the artwork exists in a liminal space between the contemporary and the ancient.

Daniel Arsham (b. 1980, United States), Sports Ball Galaxy, 2012, Cast Hydro-stone, 6.3 x 7.8 m, Qatar Olympics Sports Museum | photo © Iwan Baan courtesy of Qatar Museums

Damien Hirst’s The Miraculous Journey

Created by Damien Hirst in 2013, The Miraculous Journey is a powerful series of fourteen monumental bronze sculptures, ranging from 4 to 11 meters in height. Installed at the Sidra Medical Centre, a hospital dedicated to women and children, the artwork visually narrates the journey of human gestation—from conception to birth.

This thought-provoking installation forms a compelling dialogue with its location, celebrating the wonders of life while resonating with the hospital’s mission. As one of Hirst’s most audacious commissions, The Miraculous Journey has sparked conversations both locally and globally, ensuring its place as a catalyst for debate and reflection for years to come.

Damien Hirst (b. 1965, United Kingdom), The Miraculous Journey, 2013, Bronze, 4 to 11 metres in height, Sidra Medical Centre | photo © Iwan Baan courtesy of Qatar Museums

Louise Bourgeois’ Maman

Crafted from marble, bronze, and stainless steel, Maman stands an imposing 9.1 meters tall at the Qatar National Convention Centre, within Qatar Foundation. While abstract in form, Louise Bourgeois’ work is deeply autobiographical, exploring themes of betrayal, anxiety, and loneliness. This iconic steel spider, one of Bourgeois’ most celebrated creations, serves as a poignant tribute to her mother, a weaver in France, whose meticulous artistry and strength inspired the sculpture’s towering presence.