Goalpost installations showcase Qatar’s passion for football & art
Each ‘Posts of Qatar’ installation has been created by an individual artist or a pair of artists, with two goalposts designed by artists from Qatar and the remaining eight by artists from nations that have previously won the tournament: England, France, S
QATAR Tourism has unveiled ‘Posts of Qatar’: Ten distinct goalpost art installations that frame some of the most iconic landmarks and Insta-worthy spots across the country. The initiative represents the ultimate fusion of the country’s love for football, appreciation for art, and talent for creating striking destinations.
Each ‘Posts of Qatar’ installation has been created by an individual artist or a pair of artists, with two goalposts designed by artists from Qatar and the remaining eight by artists from nations that have previously won the tournament: England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
The art installations reflect elements of each artist’s home country combined with aspects of Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, demonstrating the role that football can play in bringing together cultures from across the world.
Qatar Tourism chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said, “As we prepare to welcome millions of visitors to Qatar over the next two months, we believe in showcasing our national landmarks through the distinctive creations of local and international artists. We encourage all visitors coming for the football to take advantage of their time here by exploring the country and experiencing Qatar’s culture first-hand.”
QATAR Tourism has unveiled ‘Posts of Qatar’: ten distinct goalpost art installations that frame some of the most iconic landmarks and Instaworthy spots across the country.
The initiative represents the ultimate fusion of the country’s love for football, appreciation for art, and talent for creating striking destinations.
Each ‘Posts of Qatar’ installation has been created by an individual artist or a pair of artists, with two goalposts designed by artists from Qatar and the remaining eight by artists from nations that have previously won the tournament: England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
The art installations reflect elements of each artist’s home country combined with aspects of Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, demonstrating the role that football can play in bringing together cultures from across the world.
Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said, “As we prepare to welcome millions of visitors to Qatar over the next two months, we believe in showcasing our national landmarks through the distinctive creations of local and international artists. We encourage all visitors coming for the football to take advantage of their time here by exploring the country and experiencing Qatar’s culture first-hand.”
Local artists have lent their talents to the project: Ghada Al-Suwaidi designed the goalpost that represents Qatar while Abdulaziz Yousef created a goalpost that welcomes all the countries participating in the tournament. In addition, both the Argentinian and French concepts were created with a Qatari touch - calligraphy artist Fatima Alsharshani created the elegant written structure that crowns the Argentinian goalpost and Maryam Faraj Al-Suwaidi’s sweeping, metallic dhow boat sails adorn the French installation.
Ghada Al-Suwaidi, the artist who designed the first goalpost representing Qatar, said: “My design centres on nostalgia. The nostalgia of traditional architecture, especially in Souq Waqif, never changing despite the country’s constant state of modernization. The nostalgia of childhood football matches, of running barefoot in the backyard, of using doorways as makeshift goalposts, and the nostalgia of getting in trouble when the ball would destroy the bougainvillea growing in every corner. Thankfully, the bougainvillea is a sturdy plant and still blooms in every Qatari backyard to this day. I brought all these aspects together in the hope that those who experienced that childhood can do so again, and those who never did, can peer into our past and join us there.”
Abdulaziz Yousef, the artist who designed the goalpost representing international visitors, said: “I used my personal graffiti style to bring the post to life and added elements of one of my favourite things in Qatar – the sunsets in winter.”
The installations are inspired by the common desire of global travellers to create and share memorable travel experiences. Now, visitors to Qatar can shoot their snaps with perfectly framed backdrops and share their #PostsofQatar photo while experiencing some of the best views and attractions in the country.