At the edge of Doha, a new grey-blue building rises like a drawing on its skyline, its shimmering tiles shifting with the sun and casting geometric shadows. The building seems to be leaning forward, as if eager to tell a story.
In a video clip of Lawh Wa Qalam, the world's first museum dedicated to MF Husain, we see glimpses of the extraordinary work of the late legendary Indian artist, whose prolific paintings and turbulent personal history have fascinated the world. The museum honours the legacy of the artist who spent his last years in Qatar and was granted citizenship in 2010.
Spanning over some 3,000 sq m, it opened to visitors last week and is part of the expansive campus of Qatar Foundation's Education City, an educational and research hub. Inside, more than 150 works and objects - including paintings, sculptures, films, tapestries and photos - map the astonishing breadth of Husain's career, offering visitors a rare window into the artist's late-life reflections and inspirations.
Husain's museum, designed with a sense of home in mind, invites visitors to experience the world as he did - intimately, playfully, and reflectively. Known for his dynamic horses, Husain's works fusing Cubist-inspired modernism with traditional Indian themes are celebrated for their vibrancy and narrative depth.
The museum's exhibitions celebrate Husain’s artistic journey, showcasing his deep engagement with Arab culture, inspiring ambitious works that highlight significant moments in Islamic history, such as The Battle of Badr, completed during his later years in Qatar.
Architect Martand Khosla highlights the challenge of translating Husain's vision into a physical space, resulting in a labyrinthine design that encourages exploration, mirroring the artist's own creative process. Each gallery opens with a Husain quote, sharing his thoughts and connecting visitors directly to his life and art.
