Hidden treasures unearthed

It took an exhibition such as “Mal Lawal” (meaning “from the old days” in the Qatari dialect) to discover the cultural and historical treasure that Qataris and other residents of the country have tucked away in their homes. From rare, centuries-old manuscripts to day-to-day grocery items from the 1970s and 1980s, the exhibition offers ordinary people a chance to showcase their prized possessions. Adding to the fun is a QR300,000 (about Dh300,000) first prize in the end for the best collection.

“Mal Lawal”, which seeks to celebrate the “cultural memory” of the country, is being organised by the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) at the colossal Al Riwaq gallery, juxtaposed to Doha’s famous Museum of Islamic Art. The exhibition is shaped by community-led contributions that represent the shared heritage of the people. Eighty-seven collectors and 68 artists are taking part in the exhibition, which is open to the public. It consists of two parts: a) private collections of objects; b) works of art by Qataris.

The first part of the exhibition reflects either Qatari heritage or that of other parts of the world. The objects tell personal stories of the collectors and their passion for artistic creation. The second part features artworks by three generations of Qatari artists, tracing the development of the art scene in the country, including Faraj Daham, Wafika Sultan Saif Al Eisa, Salman Al Malek, among others. “Mal Lawal” also includes a booth for “Wathiq”, an online forum allowing users to explore, learn and share Qatar’s past and its heritage.

One of the best corners of the exhibition is the photography section. There is a collection of rare pictures of Makkah taken in 1890 by Haj Mirza, the proprietor of H.A. Mirza and Sons, a photography shop located in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi. Mirza was famous for producing a rare album of pictures from the Haj, which was published in Delhi on October 15, 1907. His works included both photos and postcards, which were purchased by those who could not afford to go on the pilgrimage. Some eventually landed in the hands of Qatari collectors.

Another interesting set of photographs, by Nasser Al Othman, record the years leading up to the oil boom and give the viewer an idea of just how far the country has come since.

Sab’aan Mismar Al Jasem, who specialises in Qatari maritime culture and is showcasing his remarkable collection of objects — ranging from replicas of dhows to torches from various Olympics — believes that such an exhibition is a “great idea”. “I was so delighted when I heard of this. There are so many people who love collecting interesting items but had no way of showcasing their collections. Just look around you ... what treasure there is in ordinary people’s homes,” said Al Jasem, who runs a successful business in Doha’s famed Souq Wafiq.

Brothers Salem Ahmad Salem Al Kuwari and Hamad Salem Ahmad Al Kuwari pointed proudly at an ancient moped, the crown jewel of their collection, which also includes a string of Time magazine covers featuring Arab rulers.

One of the star attractions at “Mal Lawal” is Hassan Al Naimi’s astonishing array of currency notes from different countries. In one frame, he presents a range of bills from different countries bearing the number “000001” (which is considered to be very hard to find). In another set, he showcases bills of different countries with the number “111111”.

The CEO of the project, Faisal Al Hitmi, said, “The ‘Mal Lawal’ exhibition for objects and pieces is a journey through history, time and culture. It allows visitors to explore the past and the present and develop a vision of the future. This exhibition aims to influence people by bringing back their memories of the old days and making them proud of their roots and the rich cultural diversity present here in Qatar.”

Al Hitmi told Weekend Review that organising the exhibition was a challenge for the team as they didn’t know what to expect. “We were experimenting. It is to do with Qatari heritage ... time frame was not the criteria,” he said.

Speaking about the inspiration behind “Mal Lawal”, Mansour Al Khater, CEO of QMA, said, “‘Mal Lawal’ will explore Qatar’s private collections of precious objects and artefacts, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with a great sample of Qatari artists ... ”

If one of the displays, at the entrance of Al Riwaq, called “Dikan” (shop) seems like a collection of day-to-day items from your childhood, it is because it is. Grocery items — baby food, detergents, soda drinks — take you back in time to the 1970s and 1980s. It also goes to show how even a mundane object, with the passage of time, acquires value.