Sultan Al-Qassemi - Barjeel Art Foundation Founder

 
 
 
 
 
 

We talked to Sultan about how he first became interested in art and collecting it, why he decided to share his collections instead of keeping them private, and about the story he is trying to tell through Barjeel Art Foundation. Additionally, we discussed the influence of art on society, Barjeel’s most recent exhibitions, and Sultan’s interest in urban history, urban and architectural transformation, and modernism.

As the visionary founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, Sultan has played a pivotal role in enhancing the intellectual and cultural landscape of the Arab region through the establishment of an extensive and publicly accessible art collection in the UAE. Discover Sultan's journey through art and architecture, his motivations, and how he leverages social media and cultural diplomacy to showcase Arab art on a global stage.

  • 0:00 Introduction

  • 4:05 Discovering a Passion for Art and the First Purchase

  • 6:22 Motivations Behind Collecting Art

  • 8:33 Utilizing Art to Reshape Cultural and Societal Perceptions

  • 10:17 The Mission and Achievements of Barjeel Art Foundation

  • 12:18 Promoting Arab Art Through Cultural Diplomacy

  • 16:37 Sultan’s Strategic Use of Social Media for Cultural Engagement

  • 20:31 Fascination with Architecture and Its Cultural Implications

  • 25:09 The Allure of Modernism in Art and Architecture

  • 27:51 The Importance of Documenting Urban and National Histories

  • 29:44 Fostering Pride in Arab World Achievements

  • 32:31 Sultan’s Book Recommendations for Cultural Enthusiasts

  • 34:56 Bridging Cultural Divides and Overcoming Regional Tensions

  • 39:15 Audience Q&A: Language Barriers and Cultural Accessibility

  • 42:52 Audience Q&A: The Impact of the Internet on Documenting Art

  • 44:49 Audience Q&A: Challenges of Documenting Art in the Digital Age

  • 47:20 Audience Q&A: Inclusivity and Representation of LGBTQ+ Artists

  • 48:26 Upcoming Projects from Barjeel Art Foundation and Where to Find Publications

About Sultan Al-Qassemi

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi is a United Arab Emirates-based columnist whose articles have appeared in The Financial Times, The Independent, The Guardian, as well as other notable publications. Sultan is also the founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, an independent initiative established to contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region by building a prominent and publicly accessible art collection in the United Arab Emirates.

Twitter: Sultan Al-Qassemi    
Instagram: Sultan Al-Qassemi                                                                                                                                      

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