MIA resident-artist praises Qatar’s role in promoting arts of different traditions

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Uzbek artist Davlat Toshev, while serving as artist-in-residence at Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, called for increased cultural collaboration between Qatar and Uzbekistan, focusing on traditional crafts like Bukhara miniature painting. He highlighted that combining Qatar’s modern cultural platforms with Uzbekistan’s rich heritage could expand the global reach of these art forms through joint exhibitions and artist exchanges.

Uzbek artist Davlat Toshev, currently serving as an artist-in-residence at Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), highlighted the potential for enhanced cultural cooperation between Qatar and Uzbekistan during his stay in Doha. Speaking about the opportunities for collaboration, Toshev emphasized the complementary nature of Qatar’s modern cultural infrastructure and Uzbekistan’s rich artistic heritage, particularly in traditional crafts such as miniature painting, calligraphy, and manuscript art.

Toshev noted that Uzbekistan’s centuries-old artistic traditions, especially those associated with Bukhara miniature painting, could find broader audiences through Qatar’s established platforms, which include museums, residencies, and various cultural initiatives aimed at promoting heritage on a global scale. He suggested that joint efforts could take the form of exhibitions, artist exchanges, master-apprentice programmes, and collaborative research ventures, benefiting both nations' cultural communities.

The artist also underscored the deep historical and cultural connections between Qatar and Uzbekistan, rooted in their shared Islamic civilization heritage and mutual respect for the arts. He expressed confidence that these ties could foster meaningful exchanges to bring traditional art forms into contemporary contexts.

Throughout his residency, Toshev engaged with international artists, researchers, and cultural professionals, gaining new perspectives on heritage and artistry. He remarked on Qatar’s unique balance between honoring traditional cultural roots and embracing contemporary art and international dialogue. This contrast allowed him to reflect on his own artistic practice and cultural background from a renewed vantage point.

Toshev expressed a particular interest in promoting Bukhara miniature painting beyond Uzbekistan, viewing it not just as national heritage but as an integral part of humanity’s shared cultural memory. He sees the preservation of artistic traditions as an active, living process that connects past, present, and future rather than a static preservation of history.

His residency experience, he said, enabled him to step outside his daily environment and gain deeper insight into his craft and its place in the wider artistic world. Toshev hopes that his time in Qatar will lead to new collaborative projects and innovative approaches to showcasing traditional art forms on the global stage.

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