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In The Awakening of The Recline, Manal AlDowayan presents a new series of tapestries made of natural linen and acrylic paint, in which the female body appears as a latent, reclining form in a state of emergence and transformation. The figures, subtly suggested rather than fully defined, seem to awaken from within the textile surface, suspended between presence and absence. Through the language of tapestry—historically linked to women's labor, domesticity, and storytelling—AlDowayan reclaims the medium as a site of resistance and re-narration. The use of unbleached linen combined with restrained acrylic gestures creates a tension between vulnerability and strength, intimacy and visibility, offering a poetic and political reflection on the body, memory, and femininity.

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ABOUT ARTISTS : Manal AlDowayan

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Art Basel Qatar is Art Basel's fifth premier event and our newest show, running February 5-7, 2026 in Doha. Anchored in a dynamic long-term partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, Art Basel Qatar will debut as a concisely curated showcase celebrating Qatar’s vibrant cultural landscape and the dynamic arts ecosystem of the MENA region. The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will be held at M7, a creative hub in the heart of Doha, as well as at the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb.

mpefm QATAR fair art press release