Hana Al-Saadi


Biography:



Hana Al-Saadi holds an MFA in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design and received her BFA in painting and printmaking from VCUarts Qatar. Her work has been nationally and internationally exhibited, including Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; International Studios and Curatorial Program, NYC, USA; Cosmoscow, Moscow; the Saatchi Gallery, London; and the Fire Station, among others.



Artist Statement:


The architecture of Doha, Qatar is defined by skins of glass. When the sun shines upon the layers of glass, it creates a shimmery reflective grid across the surface of the city. These reflections, while visually intriguing, conceal many private realities behind the surface.

As a multidisciplinary artist, I attempt to maneuver in the space between the opacity of the facade and stories that lie behind. Specifically, I use this space to directly expose the contradictions that I encounter.

Through my experiences growing up in a rapidly changing Doha, the idea of privacy in the use of language,the feminine body, traditions, materiality, and domestic space, were embedded in the new technological culture. Navigating the concept of privacy online led to the practices of concealing and manipulating one's identity behind the screen to shape an image to conform to a certain mould.





Resume:


Education

    • MFA--Rhode Island School of Design, Sculpture Providence, RI 
    • BFA--Virginia Commonwealth University, Painting and Printmaking, Graduated with honors, cum laude, Doha, Qatar


Work Experience

Currently:

    • Senior Exhibition Coordinator, Rubaiyat Qatar, Qatar Museums
    • Adjunct Faculty, Painting and Printmaking Department, VCUQatar
Teaching:

    • 2021--Teaching Assistant for Ben Jurgensen’s Digital Design an fabrication, RISD Spring
    • 2021--Co-Teacher with Yang Yi, The Body Extended, RISD Wintersession
    • 2020--Teaching Assistant for Gail Dodge’s Sculptural Practices RISD Spring
    • 2019--Teaching Assistant for Taylor Baldwin’s Sophomore Sculpture Studio I, RISD Fall
    • 2018--Molding and Casting Techniques, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar

Gallery:

    • 2021--Gallery Assistant, Situations, Manhattan, NY
    • 2014--Curatorial Intern, Katara Art Center, Doha, Qatar
    •  2012-13--Mathaf Voice Intern, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Doha, Qatar

Other:

    • 2021--Foundry Monitor, Sculpture Department, RISD Spring,  Providence, RI
    • 2020--Teacher Assistant for Heather Rowe, Sculpture Department, RISD Fall, Providence, RI
    •  2017-19--Graphic Designer at Ministry of Development Planning and  Statistics, Doha, Qatar
    • 2014-15--Lab Monitor, VCUQatar, PAPR Department, Doha, Qatar
    •  2013-14--Video Producer, VCUQatar, PAPR Department, Doha, Qatar
    •  2009--Graphic Design Trainee, Baraem TV, Al-Jazeera Children, Doha, Qatar


Honors, awards, Grants and Residencies

    • 2021-22--International Studios and Curatorial Program, (ISCP), Brooklyn, NY
    • 2019-21--Full Study Grant from H.E. Sheikha Al-Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Doha, Qatar
    • 2015-17--Fire Station Artist in Residence, enrolled twice, Doha, Qatar
    • 2014--Winner of The Damien Hirst Challenge, Doha, Qatar
    •  2011-15--Full Study Scholarship, Ministry of Education and Highe ducation, Doha, Qatar



Selected Exhibitions

Solo & Two-Persons:

    • 2024--Home Economics, Wusum Gallery – Eiwan Al-Gassar, Doha, Qatar
    • 2023--Birthday Ceremony, Workshop 3 – Fire Station, Doha, Qatar
    • 2018--Dismantle Assemble, Workshop 3 – Fire Station, Doha, Qatar
    • 2018--Proposal for a Public Sculpture, Project Space – Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar
    • 2014--Constructed Nature, VCUarts Qatar Atrium, Doha, Qatar

Group Exhibitions and Art Fairs:

    • 2024--Mishwar, Project Space – VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar
    • 2024--Revolving Rooms, Wusum Gallery – Eiwan Al-Gassar, Doha, Qatar
    • 2022--Water Works, International Studio & Curatorial Program, Brooklyn, NY
    • 2021--RISD Graduate Show, The WaterFire Arts Center, Providence, RI
    • 2021--Into The Unknown, Sculpture Graduate Biennial, RISD, Providence, RI
    • 2018--What We Are Made Of, Cosmoscow, Moscow, Russia
    • 2018--Art Leaders Network Conference, Al Diwan, Berlin, Germany
    • 2017--Contemporary Art Qatar, Kraftwerk Berlin, Berlin, Germany
    • 2017--Doha Fire Station Artist in Residence 2017, Doha, Qatar
    • 2017--START Doha Art Fair, Art for Tomorrow Conference, Doha, Qatar
    • 2017--20/20/20, Juried Group Exhibition, VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar 
    • 2016--Doha Fire Station Artist in Residence 2016, Doha, Qatar
    • 2016--START Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
    • 2015--VCUQatar BFA Show, VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar
    • 2015--Tasmeem 3ajeeb, VCUQatar, Juried Group Exhibition, Doha, Qatar
    • 2014--Alternative Realities, Katara Art Center, Doha, Qatar
Screenings and Talks:

    • 2025-- From Touch to Sight: The Tactile Experience in Sculpture, Twaiq Sculpture, Riyad, Saudi Arabia
    • 2024--Panel Discussion: Advice for Young Artists, VCUQatar 
    • 2021--RISD Sculpture Grad Artist Talks, Providence, RI
    •  2018--Proposal for a Public Sculpture, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar

Public Collections:

    • Qatar Museums
    • VCUarts Qatar
    • MATHAF: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Gallery Representation

    • Wusum Gallery, Eiwan Al Gassar, Doha, Qatar