The 2023 IMPART Artists Grant Exhibition showcases the latest creations from the three distinguished winners of our annual grant program. At the heart of QAIC’s philosophy lies the profound connection between artists and empowerment. The IMPART Artist Grant program, in line with this vision, bestows a cash prize upon emerging and mid-career artists, providing vital support for the development of their innovative projects.
Salma Hassaan (California), Randa F. Malkawi (Virginia), and Farjana Salahuddin (Doha, Qatar) have each responded enthusiastically to the open call for artworks exploring the fascinating intersection of technology and the arts. Employing diverse mediums such as digital drawings, sculpture, and projections, these artists pay homage to historical scientific breakthroughs, muse on the vanishing artistry of craftsmanship, and boldly experiment with novel interactive elements.
Their work is a testament to the individual connections they hold dear, whether it’s the Golden Age of Islam or the rich tradition of Palestinian handcrafts. Simultaneously, their creations beckon viewers to introspect upon the ways we engage with the world in this contemporary era. Salma, Randa, and Farjana exemplify the manifold transformations wrought by technology in the realms of art creation and dissemination.
2023 Artist Grant Winners
Farjana Salahuddin is an interactive and new media artist, specializing in transforming spaces and objects to interactive and immersive experiences. Her passion in fusion of technology, design and art, has led her to create avant-garde experiential productions at the intersection of technology and art. Her productions center around a novel way of reciprocity between the audience and the space/object, whereby the audience engages their various senses to experience the piece. Her recent showcases include Pearl – A Journey of Secrets, an experiential fashion piece inspired by the Valentino, and currently in exhibition at M7 in Doha; in addition to multiple experiences at Fereej Al Najada – a heritage site by Qatar Museums, where her work involved combining all human senses, including touch, sight, and hearing in a beautiful composition to experience the transformed spaces.
Randa M.
Randa M. is a multifaceted artist and architectural designer whose work celebrates cultural heritage and evokes a sense of empowerment. She spent her childhood moving between urban centers in the MENA region and North America and draws inspiration from her Arab roots by weaving elements of traditional art forms, architectural motifs and cultural symbolism. Trained in architecture and environmental design, Randa M. holds degrees from the University of Toronto and Virginia Tech. She contributed to various research and design projects in North America and internationally, and currently works at Gensler’s D.C. offices, where she makes contributions in the urban design and mixed use practice areas.
Salma Hassaan is an interdisciplinary designer and artist (b. Cairo, Egypt) based in Los Angeles, California. She holds a BFA in Painting & Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. Salma’s research and art delve into the realm of art installations and ephemeral art, with a dedicated focus on exploring the intricate connection between humans and nature through transformative spatial experiences. Salma’s artwork has been showcased at venues such as the Dawayer Festival in Siwa Oasis, Egypt, NYC x Design Week in New York, and the Katara Art Center in Doha, Qatar. Her talent has been recognized with prestigious design awards, including the iF Design Awards and European Product Design Awards.