Qatar Foundation Launches New Museum Dedicated to M. F. Husain in Doha’s Education City
On November 28, 2025, the Qatar Foundation will unveil the world’s first museum dedicated to the life and art of celebrated modernist painter Maqbool Fida Husain. Titled Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum, the new landmark is set within Education City in Doha, weaving together creativity, cultural memory, and architectural vision.
Spanning over 3,000 square meters, the museum offers an immersive journey through Husain’s prolific career—from his early years in the 1950s to his passing in 2011—through an extensive permanent collection. Visitors will encounter a rich ensemble of paintings, films, tapestries, photography, poetry, and installations, complemented by multimedia storytelling that reveals Husain’s evolving visions and philosophies.
Designed based on a concept sketch by Husain himself, the building reflects his belief that art inhabits every structure and that architecture can serve as a medium for creative dialogue as well as function. Husain imagined the museum as an extension of his artistic voice—a place where walls, spaces, and light collaborate in expression.
One of the permanent highlights is a gallery dedicated to Seeroo fi al ardh, Husain’s final major work created in 2009. The installation traces the evolution of human innovation, and will be presented through a curated experience that emphasizes its narrative power and dramatic form.
Nestled within Qatar Foundation’s Education City, an ambitious 12 km² campus, the museum joins a constellation of cultural, academic, and research institutions designed by a roster of renowned architects. These include Arata Isozaki, Rem Koolhaas, Antoine Predock, Legorreta + Legorreta, and Mangera Yvars Architects. The site champions a holistic urban experience, combining pedestrian-friendly spaces, sports infrastructure, green public areas, and a tram system, all grounded within the cultural and historical heritage of Qatar. Early 20th-century structures have been preserved and integrated into the campus design, maintaining a compelling interplay between tradition and contemporaneity.
By positioning the M. F. Husain Museum within this environment, Qatar Foundation extends its vision of nurturing innovative and reflective learning spaces. More than a tribute to a singular artist, Lawh Wa Qalam becomes a dynamic platform where art, thought, and community intersect.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
