Ellsworth Kelly’s Monumental First Retrospective in MENASA: A New Milestone in Doha’s Art Scene
The Ellsworth Kelly at 100 exhibition underscores Qatar Museums’ continued commitment to enhancing Doha’s position as a dynamic global cultural hub.
Doha, long known for its rapid rise as a global cultural hub, has now earned another significant title on the international art map: the host city for the first-ever Ellsworth Kelly retrospective in the MENASA region. Running through February 25, 2025, Ellsworth Kelly at 100, a major exhibition curated by Glenstone Museum and presented at M7, celebrates the American artist’s transformative seven-decade career and his legacy in the world of minimalism and abstract art. This exhibition is more than just a display of art; it marks a pivotal moment for both Qatar and the Middle East’s evolving art landscape.
A Global Celebration of an American Icon
Kelly’s centennial celebration began in 2023 at Glenstone Museum in Maryland, USA, and moved to Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, where it received global acclaim. Now, the exhibition lands in Doha, offering the first comprehensive look at Kelly’s work in the region. With nearly 70 pieces, this show spans his career, from early abstract explorations to iconic minimalist forms and installations that continue to influence generations of contemporary artists.
The exhibition, hosted at M7, serves as a critical platform for both emerging and established artists in the region. With its cutting-edge architecture and growing prominence as a hub for innovative design and artistic collaboration, Doha is firmly establishing itself as a cultural powerhouse. The presentation of Kelly’s work—marked by bold colour, geometric forms, and thought-provoking installations like Yellow Curve—adds to the city’s growing reputation as a city that attracts the world’s most celebrated names in art.
Known for his exploration of colour, form, and space, Kelly’s work challenges the conventions of traditional painting and sculpture. His monumental installations, like Yellow Curve (1990), demand careful consideration and engagement with the space around them, inviting viewers to rethink their relationship with their surroundings. It’s an approach that has inspired not only fellow artists but also curators and collectors alike. As Kelly once said, his work is about “the intensity of colour and the space it can create.”
Qatar Museums’ Commitment to Cultural Exchange
In collaboration with M7, Qatar Museums has not only presented a museum-quality exhibition but also a host of public programs aimed at making Kelly’s legacy accessible to diverse audiences. With workshops, sensory-friendly sessions, and school visits, the exhibition invites everyone—from art novices to seasoned collectors—to engage deeply with Kelly’s minimalist vision and its application to the broader cultural context of Doha’s artistic evolution.
As the Middle East’s cultural scene continues to flourish, Doha is making bold strides to create an art ecosystem that is both diverse and globally relevant. From world-class museums like Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art to new exhibitions like this, the city’s evolving role as a cultural crossroads is unmistakable. As more international art institutions look to Doha for inspiration and collaboration, the Ellsworth Kelly at 100 exhibition is a reflection of how far the region has come—and a signal of where it is heading.
Where: The Ellsworth Kelly at 100 exhibition is hosted at M7, located at Abdullah Bin Thani Street, Msheireb Downtown, Doha, Qatar.
Website: https://m7.org.qa/en/
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
