Influence by Design: Art’s Rising Role in the Gulf

Jul 5, 2025

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, showcasing Qatar’s use of art in cultural diplomacy.

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha—part of Qatar’s cultural diplomacy through art and public engagement. (Source: Shutterstock)

In a region where cultural policy often oscillates between preserving heritage and promoting modernity, a quieter force is gaining ground. Contemporary art—once confined to elite circles—is increasingly being used as a tool for public engagement, informal education, and even soft power. Few have captured this shift as clearly as Dr. Khawla Almarri, a Qatar-based researcher of history and culture.

Shared with Saudi Times by Dr. Almarri following its original publication in 2023, her essay“The Role of Museums in the Gulf’s Cultural Diplomacy” explores how contemporary art is reshaping public discourse and non-formal education across the Gulf.

The piece highlights Qatar’s strategic use of contemporary art in museums, hospitals, and public spaces—transforming them into arenas for social learning. With works by artists such as Damien Hirst and Mona Hatoum, Doha has positioned itself as a regional hub for conceptually rich art that invites reflection and dialogue.

In a region often framed by rapid modernisation and heritage conservation, Dr. Almarri introduces a third force: contemporary art as a catalyst for critical thinking, emotional resonance, and cross-cultural engagement. Far from being a luxury, she argues, it is essential to civic development and intellectual life.

Speaking to Saudi Times, she remarked: “Contemporary art is not a decorative afterthought—it is a space where societies reflect, confront, and grow… There is indeed a rise in technology, but also a rise in our region of the art economy. Culture and identity are important elements to us Arabs; they are embedded everywhere and will always be central to political and economic discourse.”

As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its cultural infrastructure—from the Diriyah Biennale to expanding public art across Jeddah, Riyadh, and AlUla—Dr. Almarri’s reflections point to a wider Gulf trend. Contemporary art, increasingly, is not about ornamentation but influence—shaping minds, identities, and national narratives.