Yousef Ahmad
Born in Doha, Qatar, in 1955, Yousef Ahmad is widely regarded as a pioneer of Qatar’s modern art movement. After studying Fine Arts and Education at Helwan University and earning an MFA from Mills College in 1982, he developed a distinctive abstract practice that combines Arabic calligraphy with textures and colors inspired by the Qatari desert. His works are held in the collections of the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ahmad has received numerous awards, including the Appreciation Award from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and has played a significant role in shaping Qatar’s contemporary art scene through both his artistic practice and his long academic career at Qatar University.
Hazem El Mestikawy
Born in Egypt in 1965, Hazem El Mestikawy (1965–2024) was a sculptor whose work explored the relationship between architecture, geometry, and spatial form. A graduate of Minia University, he gained international recognition following a grant from Pro Helvetia in 1994, working across Europe before returning to Egypt. His sculptures are held in major collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the North Carolina Museum of Art. El Mestikawy exhibited internationally and received the Grand Prize at the 13th Asia Art Biennale. He also served as Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Egyptian Modern Art and co-founded the art and architecture magazine Medina.
