Habeeb M. Abu-Futtaim
About:
Habeeb M. Abu-Futtaim is an artist, educator, and Arab art specialist based in Doha. Born and raised in Qatar with a multi-cultural Hadhrami-Yemeni-South Asian background, he holds a BFA in Painting and Printmaking and a minor in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He later pursued a Master's in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London. Abu-Futtaim’s work has been most notably featured in the Santa Cruz Biennial (2017), as well as several exhibitions internationally including Berlin, Dubai, Doha, and more. His work is part of several collections including the Barjeel Art Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Cruz, and other private collections. Abu-Futtaim co-founded and led the Modern and Contemporary Arab Art department at AlBahie Auction House in Doha for over seven years from 2017-2024 and helped with the presence and growth of the Arab art in the region and internationally.
Abu-Futtaim is currently a Junior Faculty and Artist in Residence with the Department of Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.
Artist Statement:
My practice is the outcome of an ongoing exploration and introspection of the often arbitrary and absurd nature of cultural and political identities. My interest lies in examining visual elements and symbolisms associated with essentialist notions of homogenous identities. Through the work, I attempt to understand the impact of Western hegemony on the cultural production of the West Asian region, and its relation to collective nation-building and identity building exercises. It also examines the impact of visual representations of a people and culture as a subject, critically examining the entrenched systems of image production, dissemination, and representation in new media.
Through my practice, my intent is to foster a nuanced understanding of cultural hybridity, while navigating the complexities inherent in assuming the role of an artist operating within a post-decolonial condition.
Habeeb M. Abu-Futtaim is an artist, educator, and Arab art specialist based in Doha. Born and raised in Qatar with a multi-cultural Hadhrami-Yemeni-South Asian background, he holds a BFA in Painting and Printmaking and a minor in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He later pursued a Master's in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London. Abu-Futtaim’s work has been most notably featured in the Santa Cruz Biennial (2017), as well as several exhibitions internationally including Berlin, Dubai, Doha, and more. His work is part of several collections including the Barjeel Art Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Cruz, and other private collections. Abu-Futtaim co-founded and led the Modern and Contemporary Arab Art department at AlBahie Auction House in Doha for over seven years from 2017-2024 and helped with the presence and growth of the Arab art in the region and internationally.
Abu-Futtaim is currently a Junior Faculty and Artist in Residence with the Department of Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.
Artist Statement:
My practice is the outcome of an ongoing exploration and introspection of the often arbitrary and absurd nature of cultural and political identities. My interest lies in examining visual elements and symbolisms associated with essentialist notions of homogenous identities. Through the work, I attempt to understand the impact of Western hegemony on the cultural production of the West Asian region, and its relation to collective nation-building and identity building exercises. It also examines the impact of visual representations of a people and culture as a subject, critically examining the entrenched systems of image production, dissemination, and representation in new media.
Through my practice, my intent is to foster a nuanced understanding of cultural hybridity, while navigating the complexities inherent in assuming the role of an artist operating within a post-decolonial condition.