Italian’s photographic exhibition of Doha landmarks opens at QNL

Marvel at Doha’s architecture at nighttime in a photo exhibit dubbed “Sharada” organized by the Italian Embassy in Doha and Qatar National Library (QNL). 

The exhibition is composed of 15 photographs shot by Italian professional photographer Francesca Pompei whose work is focused on arts and architectural images.

Italian Ambassador to Qatar, H E Ambassador Alessandro Prunas told The Peninsula: “When we decided to join the celebration of Italian Contemporary Art Day, there’s nothing best but putting the beauty that Doha can offer through the eyes of an Italian artist.” He added the exhibition is “meaningful” as it captures the linkage of Doha and Italy through photographs.

Pompei’s photographic approach to Doha stems from her fascination with the book The Thousand and One Night which her mother and grandmother used to read when she was young. “This has developed my passion for the Middle East region.”

“I tried to do my best to communicate what for me was the almost metaphysical and dreamy atmosphere that recalls me the atmosphere idea on the book.” This is the first major exhibit of Pompei in Qatar. 

Browsing through the photos, one can notice that every image was shot during nighttime. Pompei explained why: “It is a personal choice. I prefer the night atmosphere because it is silent and more thoughtful. I graduated in philosophy, so my personal approach to images and photography is slow and thoughtful, so I prefer to work at night. This is the time when everybody’s sleeping, nobody’s around and I can take my time to catch the right moment when everything is perfect with mind, heart, and shot.”

The exhibit will run until January 12, 2022, and can be viewed during the library’s opening hours — Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, and Friday, 4 pm to 8 pm.

The images were shot in 2020 during the pre-COVID days. The public can look through the images of the Museum of Islamic Art, Aspire Zone, National Museum of Qatar, Texas A & M University at Qatar, Ceremonial Court in Education City, Souq Waqif mosque, and Education City Museum.

Pompei is a professional photographer focused on arts and architectural images. She was a member of the board of the Italian Association of Professional Photographers-TAU Visual from 2014 to 2020. She is also a member of PhotoVogue and is represented by the Art-Commerce Agency-PhotoVogue Collection New York.

Her photos have been featured in national and international exhibitions such as Art Fair Paris 209, Visual Italiane-Tokyo 2020, Aesthetica 2021-York Art Gallery, and New Buildings 2021-Fuorisalone Milan.

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